Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa’s vision to introduce high performance with the aim of winning medals at Asian and Commonwealth Games got off the blocks last week with five sports identified with potential for success.
The five sports are volleyball, tennis, swimming, shooting and karate.
To mark the beginning of the program, the National Sports Council headed by Mahela Jayawardena selected five different sports that has the ability to win medals with support extended to them via a long term program. Agreements were signed for the grant of financial aid and other matters connected with the program at the Volleyball House, Dadella, Galle in the presence of Minister Rajapaksa, Director General Sports Development and heads of the five sports association that are to receive these grants.
Director General Sports Amal Edirisuriya signed the MoUs with the heads of the sports associations while members of the National Sports Council Ruwan Keragala, Julian Bolling, Chaluka Mendis and Yaswath Muttetuwegala were present on the occasion.
The Ministry of Sports has allocated a sum of Rs. 25 million for men’s volleyball while the women’s segment is to receive Rs.15.6 million for its development program.
The Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation commended the Minister and the National Sports Council for granting this amount for the first time to promote the national sport of Sri Lanka.
Newly appointed president of the SLVBF Kanchana Jayaratne, its secretary A.S. Nalaka along with its officials paid a glowing tribute to all who made this a reality for the benefit of the game.