Challenge do ping

The reality and consequences of taking banned substances has firmly sunk in to the minds of Sri Lankan sportsmen and women. This follows the two year ban imposed by the IAAF’s Court of Arbitration on sprinter Jani Chathurangi. The Sunday Times spoke to the President of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando about doping and many others concerning the sport.

Fernando said; “Let me first say that even if an athlete takes a banned substance and wins, in that person’s heart of hearts, the victory is bitter sweet. As far as athletics in Sri Lanka goes there is no room for cheaters. No I do not believe Chathurangi’s absence has affected our preparations for Olympic Games in any way. Before the verdict from the Court of Arbitration we had invited her to train with 4X100 metres relay team. However, Asian Championship silver medallist Sujani Buddhika has recovered from an injury and is more than an adequate replacement for Chathurangi. Athletics is all about training and preparation. And winning one’s event fairly is the ultimate reward”.

Fernando knows what he talking about. He has almost literally walked the walk. He attended Sri Sumangala Panadura and represented the Sri Lanka Schools team in the 800 metres event and later did the same for Army. “I know how hard it was for me to break the two minute barrier in the 800 metres. But that is the nature of athletics. Taking the easy way is not an option. If you take England for example, they impose life bans for substance abuse. I agree that glossy advertisements for supplements can entice athletes. But they should check before they take anything. There is the Sports Medicine unit, the Health Ministry and the Sports Ministry. Awareness campaigns have to be carried out to educate both coaches and athletes about substance abuse. Even if they do not get caught, there are long term health issues that have to be factored into consideration,” said Fernando.

When asked about Sri Lanka’s chances and preparations for the Olympics to be held in Beijing in August, Fernando said; “So far Susanthika Jayasinghe has qualified for both the 100 and 200 metres events. As you know she is currently training in the United States of America. Nadika Lakmali has qualified for the Javelin discipline. We wanted to send Lakmali for training in Cuba. But that did not work out and I do not think we will have time to send her for a training program before the Olympics. However, she is still young and we will send her overseas to train before the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games in 2010. Meanwhile athletes who won medals at South Asian Federation Senior Athletics Championships and those who have won medals at Grand Prix events are undergoing training for the Olympics.”

He added; “Prasanna Amarasekera, Rohitha Pushpakumara, Ashok Jayasundera and two others will form our 4X400 metres men’s relay team will compete in two events in Thailand and one in Vietnam. Thus they have three opportunities to qualify for the Olympics. These competitions will be held in June and the team has to finish 16th or higher to qualify. As for our chances I think Susanthika can win a medal and if the others perform to their potential who knows what can happen. What I do know is that a number of our senior athletes will retire after the Olympics. We foresaw this happening and thus we have a superb bunch of youngsters ready to take their place.”

Elaborating further Fernando said: “Last year was a memorable one for athletics. For the first time in ten years we won a medal at the World Athletics Championships when Susanthika got a bronze in the 200 metres event. The South Asian Junior Championships was held here and it was very good for our youngsters. In addition we won eight gold medals and a large number of silver and bronze medals. We also selected a pool of over 40 talented junior athletes and brought them down to Colombo on weekends along with their coaches to be trained by our senior coaches. We paid for their transport, accommodation food etc. this was just a one off thing. After the junior championships early next month we will be conducting another program.”

He added; “In October last year we sent 90 coaches to India for a ‘train the trainer’ programme. We also started a level one IAAF coaching programme for beginners. Those who finish with an ‘A’ will undergo a level two coaching programme which includes some aspects of specialised coaching.”

Said Fernando; “As for this year, we have the junior athletic championships that is just around the corner, then the World Athletics Day followed by the Women’s National’s which will serve as for the Olympics. The juniors also have a number of international commitments. There will also be the National Cross Country Championships. Following the Olympic Games we have set aside a couple of months where we want to concentrate on further developing our junior athletes and also help our senior athletes.
That is because of the Ordinary Level Examination in December. And the first two months of the year are generally regarded as the rest period for athletes.”

Fernando took the helms of the AASL after serving in a number of capacities on March 27- 2007. And unlike many sports bodies he was elected uncontested this year. He said in conclusion; “Every single championship for this year is sponsored. In days gone by it was very difficult to find a sponsor for one championship leave alone several.

Thus I am very happy that both the corporate sector and the public have realised the potential of our athletes and fact that these sportsmen and women can put Sri Lanka on the World map.”