Sports

Sports

SLBA to launch programme for juniors

aBy Bernie Wijesekera
"The Sri Lanka Badminton Association is to activate a national junior development programme - islandwide to identify and nurture young talent at grassroots level to reach international standards." said the Chairman of the National Pool training committee, Oliver Guruge.

Guruge said, "The theme behind is to map out a long term development programme at the Junior Level -ages 11, 13, and 15 to harness talent (both boys and girls). This will consist 24 boys and 24 girls, who will undergo a long-term training programme under competent coaches."

He gave a brief history of badminton. "It has been played at competitive level for over 50 years in all age groups islandwide. SLBA is a member of the international body and the Asian Badminton Congress and has given exposure at senior and junior competition level. Has also participated in selected regional Asian international tournaments."

Q: Any financial support from the Ministry of Sports.

A: Yes. Reasonable support from the private sector sponsors plus the Badminton Foundation.

Q: Are you going to get any foreign coaches?

A: No. Local coaches are quite competent to train the juniors at grassroots level.

Q: What about facilities?.

A: It was started as an outdoor sport. But today there are indoor courts available at the YMCA, at the Badminton Complex since 1980, the services and in private clubs too. Schools, too have taken to the sport and have built their own stadia.

Q: What made the SLBA decide to make badminton a major sport in the country?

A: It's an individual sport. Physique has no bearing. A good example L. R. Ariyarananda, reigned as national senior champion, from 1964 - 71 and what the sport needs is dedication and total commitment by the player to reach greater heights. To acquire skills one has to be disciplined in body and mind. Sri Lanka has the talent to reach international level. The Lankans have excelled in the past.

Q: How are you going to develop the sport, what about funds.

A: Today there is no amateurism, every discipline is professional. Most sportsmen at present hail from the rural areas.

Q: What about food and accommodation to be in contention. How are you going to streamline the Junior Development programme?

A: Wider participation at school level. Introduce the game to the provinces and activate them with provincial tournaments. Afford them with the basic facilities. Introduce the sport at the national games. Also build an international complex. Stage Asian tournaments here, to afford the youngsters to play. The Junior programme will cost 1.5 million a year.

We are confident of getting the funds. Also merchandising via the juniors who are picked in the squad. They will be sporting their attire. Good example cricket (Dilmah). The selected 48 players (boys and girls) will strive to get them scholarships like in the Grade Five Scholarship exam.

Q: The Royal College Union Loyalty Pledge Programme not only afford some of the needy rural students with accommodation, but also monitor the child's school life.

A: Yes, we will strive to help them study in Colombo schools. Otherwise will assist them at district level. Giving them men and material. Later bring some of them to train in an indoor camp. Plans are afoot to build a complex each, at district level to nuture young talent at the age of eight onwards from district and zoanal level.

A large base of qualified professional coaches. From the respective age groups select the talented players to the elite Junior Development Programme.

A national development officer will oversee. There will be District Zonal officers. It will also identify teachers as potential coaches.

There will be dull-tie and part-time coaches at given training centres.

The talented students chosen to each centre close proximity to train in a specified training programme. They will be funded. This will not be confined to the elite squad only. But students in nearby schools will be encouraged to train during weekend training sessions.

Q: Is Badminton is going to be a mass sport.

A: Yes. Will co-ordinate the entire programme nationwide.

Q: What is your action plan?

A: To launch it on Sept. 2004 after this year's junior nationals.

To start with selected districts to have at least one training centre and two part-time coaches 30-100 players per district at the start. Intake students will be trained for a period of three months.

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