Despite a compliment of over 50 coaches in Sri Lanka's contingent to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, a six-member wrestling team will be without a coach, it was revealed yesterday.
"I can understand a team going with a caoch, but why are so many officials going," asked Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe at a function where he met the athletes who will be at the Commonwealth Games.
He said the Ministry will look into all the issues faced by the athletes in the future and it would be the duty of the Ministry to fund the athletes with air tickets to participate in foreign competitions.
“We are willing to provide athletes with financial assistance during their training period as well so that they can perform without having to worry about the shortcoming they are faced with on their home front,” said the Minister.
The meeting brought to light the shortcomings the athletes are facing and it was revealed that the wrestlers will be going without a coach who deserted camp last month.
However, with all procedures regarding accreditation and visas completed it is too late to include another coach according to the Minister.
Squash coach, who is a Pakistani national, complained that the courts they had to practice on was not up to international standards.
This shortcoming hindered the progress made by some players who can reach higher standards, he noted.
“You have to complain to the association of the sport and if they cannot find a solution then the Ministry will try to do whatever is possible to construct the venues of any sport to a high level,” said Minister Ranasinghe.