TT players get temporary place to practice
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has responded positively to a repeated plea by the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) by agreeing to provide a headquarters office at an up and coming building at Torrington Square. This will be on a temporary basis until a new building is provided.
This building is being constructed for a hotel but on the request of TTASL president State Minister Kanaka Herath, the Sports Minister has provided the premises to the delight of the players. They will use the new premises for their practice purposes.
“The association will count this as their headquarters and use for practice. This building was given on a temporary basis until a new building, close to the old Sports Ministry building with all facilities which is nearing construction at the moment. A floor will be given to the association with all facilities that will also consist a hostel. That will help the outstation players for accommodation when they come to Colombo,” said the president of the association.
TTASL expects to move into the new building in December upon its completion. Earlier, the association hired halls for four to five hours per day for practices. The players used to practice for long spells covering the time. As the Belarus coach who was with the team in preparation for South Asian Games once said on an interview with the Sunday Times that practising is very useful in short spells. With the new premises that problem also will be solved. Players will be able to use the adjoining ministry ground for physical training.
The Sri Lanka women’s team won a silver medal while the men’s team won a bronze at the South Asian Games in Nepal.