Though the overall performance was disappointing, chef de mission of the Lankan contingent in Beijing Dian Gomes feels that it was a good learning curve.

Speaking to The Sunday Times on the subject he said “The overall performance was disappointing but it was a very good experience for all those who participated. It would have done a world of good for them. I also think we have realised if we want to compete at Olympic level we cannot achieve anything without proper preparation.

For participation at this level training should be done for at least six to eight years. At Beijing there was a lot of expectations from two athletes -- one was Susanthika Jayasinghe and the other Anuruddha Ratnayake. Susanthika at 34 years to have got into the semi finals of the 200metres was a great achievement. The fact she is the only one in Asia to do that at this age.

Running with the Jamaican, Russia or with the best in the world was a great achievement to be at least the 12th best in the world. In terms of Anuruddha also we were disappointed. We felt that he should have won that fight, but he was outfoxed by a smarter Brazilian who took his height to his advantage.
Looking back he shouldn’t have used the defence by covering his head, instead should have gone in and taken blows which wouldn’t have been scoring blows. But we are not discouraged but satisfied at least that a boxer qualified to the Olympics after four decades.

We are also looking at how Asia won six gold medals out of 11. Another surprise was Cuba who is dominating boxing failed to win any gold medals. With six finalists they were unable being the best in the world. One of the world champions too lost in the first round.

So I don’t think Anuruddha was over-rated, he was ranked fifth at the World championships but lost. But the experience he gained will be taken up for the 2012 London Olympics. So we will not give up and we will keep on trying till we get a medal”.

Speaking of the others he stated that Daniel Lee and Mayumi Raheem are very young yet. “Swimming we will have to think on a long term basis, since both of them are training abroad they have a very good chance of competing at a better level in 2012. “I think Daniel and Mayumi were the right candidates to represent Sri Lanka at Beijing. Daniel has the height and the ingredient of a swimmer and is a good prospect for the future while regarding Mayumi it is too early to say anything as she is just 15 years old. We would like to see her developing herself in the next four years under the guidance of the Australian coach”.

Dian was optimistic regarding pistol shooter Edirisinghe Senanayake. He feels though the shooter failed to impress, he has the ability and potential what he needs is some fine tuning and encouragement. Senanayake is a good bet for the London Olympics more than even boxing.

“Pistol shooting is a sport with potential for a medal. It needs only skill and motivation. I would like to personally support him and I have already told him to get the best pistol he needs so that he can practice and we would support him.

“Weight lifter Chinthana Vidanage’s performance was encouraging and competition was fierce. To be among the top 20 was a tremendous achievement. I am sure he will still be able to get a medal at the Commonwealth Games in time to come. We must understand that weight lifting is a tough sport.
“Of course Nadeeka Lakmal did her very best. It’s just that she lacked experience. I think she needs another few more years of experience and the AAA should focus on her and also she should be sent abroad maybe to Cuba or Germany for training so that she improves at least to Asian level.

“To compete at Olympic level we cannot achieve as I mentioned before with two months or one year training. What we really need to do is start focussing for the 2012 Olympics immediately. In terms of boxing we have already got the act going and the ABA has already sent two boxers for training to Cuba. Apart from that young boxers are being groomed for the future and a talent search is in progress. Likewise the AAA should need to look at the next step and take things seriously because you cannot produce Susanthika’s and Dharsha’s overnight.

“The government also should get involved more seriously by putting resources to sports where we can win”.

Dian brushed aside allegations of athletes under performance saying “I disagree as any athletes’ ultimate dream is to win a medal. The competitions were of high standard. We have to have an aim and plan ourselves for future international meets, which is what every country is doing whether big or small. We must look at what are the sports we can win at region and Olympic level.
“One good example was the Mongolian boxing gold medallist in Beijing. He lost to Anuruddha a few years back but today he is a gold medal winner. Likewise we must have aspirations to move forward or else we will be stagnating.

“We have work out a strategy and I have the confidence that Hemasiri Fernando would make some changes. I also believe in hiring foreign coaches which have borne fruit in boxing. If we want to find the best in class you need to get the best technique, coaches and equipments and the structure to do so.
“I think for athletics there is a great stadium coming up at Homagama and according to information it should be completed in the next six to eight months. I think athletics will be developed under the guidance of the AAA president Palitha Fernando. “I am sure that he has a much focussed plan as the stadium has all the facilities like accommodation which is essential and the progress of athletics should take off from there.

“Where boxing is concerned I intend handing over the leadership and also hope to move away from other sporting bodies that I am involved. The reason I want to concentrate or be in charge of the sponsorship and to be in charge of building new talent. That is going to be my critical area with the aim of building the team for the 2012 Olympics”.