Good chance of Ambepitiya taking part
The Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) officials were forced to postpone the return of its landmark 90th National Athletics Championship to Colombo by 13 days after a lapse of two year. According to the Secretary General of AASL, Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando, the three-day competition which was scheduled to begin on November 1 will now begin on November 13.
“After consulting with all stakeholders the AASL unanimously decided to postpone the 90th National Championship, mainly due to the cyclonic weather conditions prevailing around the country. We have rescheduled the competition to November 13, 14 and 15 at the Sugathadasa Stadium,” Fernando said.
The 90th edition of the national athletic championship which was to make its return to Colombo after a lapse of two years from the Diyagama stadium, served as a crucial outing for over 100 athletes enlisted in the national pools. However the postponement will be of very little effect for the athletes who are among the record number of 1300 entries for the competition.
“For the first time in history we have received a record number of entries. It is an overwhelming development from the point of view of the governing body. But a medical certificate from a recognised practitioner is a must to all athletes,” Sunil Jayaweera, the Senior Vice President told reporters adding that the AASL had to regrettably decline applications that were not supported by medical documents.
Jayaweera further added that most of the applicants have obliged this requirement while two prominent athletes are yet to confirm their participation at the forthcoming competition, due to injuries. According to Jayaweera, sprinters Shehan Ambepitiya and Chandrika Subhashini are on the injured list but there is a possibility of Ambepitiya competing in the 100m and 200m sprints.“Shehan (Ambepitiya) has informed the AASL that he is nursing an injury. At the same time, there is a possibility of him competing in the 100m and 200m sprint events, but only up the semi-final stages. Even if he qualifies for the finals, he has insisted that he will withdraw due to injury worries,” Jayaweera added.Meanwhile the President of AASL, Major General Daya Ratnayake revealed that his team of officials are eager to come out with a strong development plan aiming at possible international medals.According to Ratnayake seven committees have been introduced to oversee and improve the standards of track and field events. With each committee headed by a Vice President of the AASL, Ratnayake further added that a comprehensive action plan is underway with a possible constitutional change.
“We have introduced committees for Competitions, Coaching, Scientific, Research Development, District Development, Kids’ Athletics and Women’s Athletics, Technical Officials Development, Constitution, Disciplinary and Anti-Doping and Schools and North and East Development. These committees were set up to streamline the disarrayed athletics governing body which did not have a proper and clear constitution. Now with the approval of the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), we are on the verge of putting the AASL on the correct track, of course with the help of all stakeholders,” Ratnayake said.
Meanwhile Bank of Ceylon has pledged its support for national athletics with five year sponsorship deal which is worth Rupees 23 million. The sponsorship will also cover the 90th National Athletic Championship in addition to maintaining a strong athletic pool where athletes and coaches will be granted monthly allowances. The 90th National Athletic Championship will be conducted with the minimum IAAF requirements of an international event, with 44 different events on the cards. – NA
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