‘I AM READY TO BE SRI LANKA’S NATIONAL ATHLETICS COACH, BUT NO APPOINTMENT YET’

“Iam ready at any time to be the Athletics National Coach,” says Sunil Gunewardena, the former Sri Lankan athlete and Asian sprint medallist told Sunil Gunewardena to the Daily Mirror yesterday.

After the last South Asian Games (SAG) 2016 there has been no National Coach. The last was the late Derwin Perera, who retired after the SAG.

The Athletics Association of Sri Lanka after several years has called applications and Sunil Gunewardena with several points in favour is in the front and has been recommended to the Ministry of Sports.

After five months the Ministry has not approved the post.

Sunil Gunewardena was the fastest sprinter in the 70’s.

He was the Sri Lanka 100 Metres former Record Holder.

At the 1974 Tehran Asian Games was a member of the 4X400 Metres Men Gold Medal winning team member.

He is a former Olympian. He is a specialist in sprint events. He has produced several international sprinters such as Damayanthi Dharsha, Rohan Pradeep Kumara and several others. The majority of the sprinters in the island has been coached by him.

He is former President of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka.

When the Daily Mirror inquired from him whether he is ready for the task he said that to date no appointment has been made to him and the appointment has been kept open.

“Only God knows the answer he said in conclusion.