Sepak Thakraw: Elaborate arrangements to stage South Asian Championships in Sri Lanka

The Amateur Sepak Thakraw Association Under the auspices of the Ministry of Sports are tirelessly making elaborate arrangements to welcome not only the participants of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, but also the dignitaries of the Asian and International Sepak Thakraw Federations along with vvip of participating Countries to grace the occasion of the first-ever fully-fledged International Sepak takraw Championship in Sri Lanka on January 14 and 15, 2017, at the Indoor Sports Complex of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo. 

The Sri Lanka Association has formed appropriate committees to raise funds, logistics, infrastructure items, etc; since June this year. 

According to the Secretary-General Saman Priyankara and Co-ordinating Secretary Chareendra de Silva of the Association the total budget to stage the Championship is close to Rs. 4 Million of which the Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera has assured to provide half of the budget cost in June this year prior to the proposal being tabled by the president of the Sri Lanka Association at the 2nd South Asian Sepaktakraw Federation Meeting in Hyderabad, India on June 29, 2016. 

Unfortunately there has occurred a delay in releasing the assured sum upto now resulting in a chain – reaction of delays of payments due to various service-providers, Institutions, providing services to the Association. 

However the Association is hopeful and optimistic that the Sports Ministry would grant the assured sum without further delay to ease the financial burden and pressure that the Association is experiencing at present with only a few more days left for the opening of the Championship. 

The committees of the Association are feverishly working to achieve targets set by its President Nizam Hajireen, and according to him, come what may, the Association is determined to stage the Championship as planned and as per International standards. 

The president is greatly assisted by the Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee Nilam Hallaldeen in this endeavour. 

The Championship is conducted for the 'Regu' and 'Double' events for both Men and Women. 

Already India , Pakistan , and Nepal, along with host country have confirmed the participation of its Men's and Women's teams, whilst Bangladesh have confirmed only the Men's team. 

The Association has made a request to Bangladesh to field a Women's team but due to lack of resources they have so far not responded positively. 

The Technical Committee, Referees Committee, Liason-Officials, Court Assistants, etc; are periodically undergoing training and orientation programmes, under the supervision of the President Nizam Hajireen who is also the Vice-Chairman Technical Committee of the International Sepak takraw Federation and ably assisted by Chareendra de Silva the Chief Referee appointed for the South Asian Championship. 

The Association will be inviting the Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekera as Chief – Guest, the Deputy – Minister of Sports Harris. 

The president of NOC, the Director-General of Sports, the Inspector-General of Police, the Army Commander,  the Senior Deputy – Inspector General of Police M.R. Latheef, and foreign Delgate  as Special Guests of Honour at the Finals on January 15, 2017, and to distribute trophies to the winners. 

There will be a colourful cultural display prior to the finals to enliven the proceedings of the day. 

The Association has made a humble appeal to all sports lovers to grace the occasion and cheer Sri Lanka to perform well.