The shortsightedness, absurdity and lethargy of Sri Lankan sports administrators could not have been showcased any better than by the absence of the country’s gold medal winner at the Asian Games Tharushi Karunaratne during a so-called felicitation ceremony.
When the pompous show was held to boost the egos of officials at the National Olympic Committee on Monday, the promising golden girl was not around and preferred to be doing what she does and loves best, running on the track at the all-island School Games at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Tharushi and the Sri Lanka contingent returned from the Asian Games in China two weeks ago and the National Olympic Committee had plenty of time to ensure Tharushi’s interests did not clash with the interests of officials.
Besides Tharushi’s absence, there were several other athletes who won medals at the Asian Games who could not turn up due to various reasons.
Among other notable absentees was the women’s cricket team that won a Silver medal accept for one member who turned up to accept her award.
Present at the felicitation ceremony was Silver medallist and javelin thrower Dilhani Lekamge along with a few members of the men’s and women’s relay teams.
Secretary of the NOC Maxwell de Silva claimed that they were now looking at ways to help athletes enhance their performance levels in preparation for the Olympic Games to be held in Paris next year.
He said that they are looking for sponsors who can come forward to provide the necessary finances for the athletes to nourish themselves and travel to training venues until it is time for the Olympics.
“Winning medals at the Asian Games is a great achievement for Sri Lanka but the athletes cannot do it by themselves. There should be a full team of technically qualified people who can extend their expert advice to the athletes on what areas to develop.
“This should be the plan for the next four years with the vision to achieve more medals at such Games,” said De Silva.
“I was advised not to send a women’s relay team but this team won a bronze medal that put the advisors to shame”.
Nishantha Piyasena the Chef de Mission of the contingent said that this time they got together for some 60 days earlier than the start of the Asian Games and that more time will be needed to plan for better performances next time.
“We got together and held talks with the athletes to discuss on areas that need to be attended to immediately. We found out the shortcomings to get over and identified the areas mainly nutrition and medical for immediate attention. We also had a doctor who is conversant in Sports Science to speak to the athletes on how to get over their weaknesses,” said Piyasena.
President of Sri Lanka Athletics Maj. Gen, (rtd) Palitha Fernando said that when he was asked how many medals Sri Lanka will win he had predicted five medals for certain.
“We should have had a silver medal too but it was unfortunate that the mixed relay team had to be disqualified,” said Fernando.
