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IWUF to support Sri Lankan Wushu
By Namal Pathirage
International Wushu Federation (IWUF) will support the people who work for the development of Wushu sport. We don't consider whether it is an Interim Committee or not. We need the people who uplift the game. Sri Lankan Wushu Interim Committee has done this" said Li Zhijian, the International Wushu Federation ex President and Wushu Federation of Asia (WFA)President.

Li, the Vice President of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee & Chairman of the All China Sports Federation and a one time Minister of Sports in China was on a 3 day official visit to Sri Lanka along with IWUF Secretary General Wang Xiaolin to see the progress made by the sport in Sri Lanka.

The duo met the press after having discussions with the Sports Ministry Secretary N.G. Punchihewa, Wushu Federation of Sri Lanka Interim Committee President Chryshantha Kapuwatte and its Secretary Manel Dharmakeerthie at the Sports Ministry Auditorium at Bauddhaloka Mawatha.

He hoped Sri Lanka would be able to come to grips in the world scene which he said, will be a great achievement, Sri Lanka is a very active member of IWUF & WFAsince year 2000 in which the Interim Administration was appointed as they are sending Wushuites for every International tournament they organize, said Li.

During the discussions with the Ministry officials and Interim Committee President Kapuwatte and Secretary Dharmakeerthie Li promised more than Rs. 5 million worth of Wushu equipment. It includes 14mx8m carpet (worth Rs. 1.5 million) used for competions of Taolu (Routine) events meter 8x8 platform (worth Rs. 1 million) used for Sanshou (combat) events and players personal apparatus such as DAO (Broad Swords) JIAN (Long Swords) GUN (cudgels) QIANG (Spears) NANDAO (Nanquan Broadswords) for Taolu players and Head Gear, Chest Pads, Gloves, Shin Guards, Instep Guards etc. for Sanshou players.

Considering that there is no Chinese coach in Sri Lanka he promised to send two Chinese coaches before the next Asian Wushu Championship to be held in Myanmar in November. He also offered 2 scholarships for 2 young Sri Lankan Wushuites to be trained in China.

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