Now it is an athletic jumble

There are some sports that can not be kept out of controversy. Especially in Sri Lanka the discipline of athletics just keeps jumping in and out of the quagmire of controversy.

This time a huge controversy has erupted with the omission of a Bangkok Asian Grand Prix bound athlete from the squad after the ministry approval.

Sri Lanka’s 400 metres athlete Menaka Wickremasinghe was originally picked by the Athletic selectors to take part in the Asian Grand Prix which will be held in Bangkok and Vietnam from July 23rd. However subsequently in another hastily organized trial which was held after the original team approval of the minister was obtained a team change has been effected while Wickremasinghe was indisposed.

However a selection committee source has pooh-poohed that claim and has stated that Wickremasinghe deliberately stayed away from the second trial. However there is segment in the athletic administration who asked as to why they should have another trial after the original selection was made and the minister had approved it.

In another development Udara Ratnayake who was a member of the 4 x 100 relay for the Junior Athletic Meet which will be held in Indonesia from the 12th of June was also dropped from the squad also after she was originally picked and the ministry approval was obtained and another athlete –Dhanushki Fernando put in her place. This also had been done as a result of Udara taking ill during that period.

When The Sunday Times confronted the Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge on these developments he said “In the first instance I am not aware of the removal of Menaka Wickremasinghe from the squad that I approved.

However I am aware of the incident that involves Udara Ratnayake. Yes, she had been removed from the squad when she had fallen sick, but, her coach made representations to me saying that she had recovered completely. So now I have ordered a special race that involve both athletes tomorrow and whoever wins will be selected for the tour.”