Two schools of thought holding back the final number
Vinod Suranjaya de Silva has been one of the greatest findings in athletics
Two schools of thought are getting in the way on the final proceedings of selections of the contingent to the 18th Asian Games which will be held from August 18 to September 2, in Indonesia.
For the first time in the history of the Asian Games – the event will be co-hosted by two cities – Jakarta – the main capital of Indonesia and Palembang — the capital of South Sumatra Province. Initially the games were shifted to Indonesia after Hanoi – when the capital of Vietnam withdrew due to financial constraints. Incidentally the inaugural Asian Games were in Indonesia in 1962.
Here in the Lankan capital, there is one school of thought that the contingent should be confined to a lean and mean ‘Medal Prospect only’ one. The other school of thought is of the view that athletes who have reached the Asian Games qualifying standard should make it to the games.
National Olympic Committee secretary Sri Lanka – Maxwell de Silva speaking to the Sunday Times said “The newly appointed Sports Minister Faizer Mustapha, the NOCSL officials and the national selection committee are in discussion on this subject.”
De Silva explained further stating “We can see a contingent of around eighty athletes taking part in this year’s event. Besides Weight Lifting and Boxing who raked in six medals at the Commonwealth Games, we can see sports like Rugby sevens (Men and women) Athletics ( men and women) especially the relay contingents, Kabaddi, Judo, tennis and Taekwondo making it o the games”
Especially in athletics there has been a spate of impressive performances locally. The most noteworthy among them is the effort made by short distance runner Vinod Suranjaya de Silva who clipped the effort of Lanka’s former athletic ace Sugath Tillekeratne in the 200metres at the recently concluded athletic meet. De Silva finished the distance in 20:68secs as against Tillekeratne’s time of 20:84.
Besides, NOCSL President Suresh Subramanium told earlier the Sunday Times there is a window opened for new sports. He said, “For instance, we have accommodated canoeing at the Asian Games. As it is a new sport, there are no rankings involved, so canoeing is in. But, we are hoping the respective federation also would help towards the endeavour. Nonetheless, it is a onetime affair. If they hope to take part again in the Asian Games, they would have to get the respective ranking.”
However NOCSL secretary de Silva said that they are hoping to finalise the Asian Games Contingent list when they meet on May 23 or 24.