Sri Lanka all geared up for SAJA Championships in May
The Athletics Association of Sri Lanka has made all arrangements to stage the Third South Asian Junior Athletics Championships (SAJAC) on May 5 and 6 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Five South Asian countries have confirmed participation. They are: India, Pakistan, Maldives, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Nepal and Afghanistan are expected to confirm their participation next week. The meet is for athletes between the ages of 16 to 20 years.
This is the second time a South Asian Junior Athletics meet is being held in the country.
The first was held in 2007 at the Sugathadasa Stadium where Sri Lanka were overall runners-up with 8 Gold, 8 Silver and 18 Bronze medals.
The second was held in Ranchi, India (2013) where Sri Lanka were runners-up with 10 Gold, 10 Silver and 14 Bronze. In both contests India emerged champions.
Nearly 400 athletes are expected to take part this year. This event is important as the Asian Junior Athletics Championships is scheduled to be held on June 6, 7 and 8 in Japan. The performance of South Asian countries is important for the meet.
Sri Lanka Pool selections for the South Asian Junior Athletics Championships (SAJAC) will take place on March 27,28 and 29 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex, Diyagama.
The Athletics Association of Sri Lanka that for the SAJAC Sri Lanka will field three athletes for each event.
There are 36 events (boys and girls) at the championships.
Major General Palitha Fernando, President of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka says that for the SAJAC if a big cost arises they will try to do a lot of cost cutting with the help of the three Armed Forces and the Sports Ministry.
The athletes are not expecting five star hotel treatment but hostel accommodation.
They target is to win the maximum amount of gold medals and according to the performances at this meet athletes will be picked for the Asian Junior Athletics Championships in June.
The team for the event will be eight men and women athletes and two officials, but they are hoping to send a team of 15 athletes.