DRAW A NATIONAL SDP AFTER PANDEMIC – SUNIL JAYAWEERA
RESPONSIBILITY OF AUTHORITIES TO PREVENT INJURIES TO ATHLETES DURING LOCKDOWN PERIOD
ANational Sports Development Programme (SDP) from school to national level has to be formulated once the Covid-19 crisis is over if Sri Lanka is to achieve their objective of becoming the best South Asian sporting nation in 2022, according to Sunil Jayaweera, former Deputy Director General (Sports) of the Ministry of Education.
Since the pandemic has brought sports activities in Sri Lanka and around the world to a standstill within a short period of time, the Education Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Olympic Committee (NOC) and all National Sports Bodies should set aside their differences and put their shoulder to wheel to draw up a development plan at the earliest opportunity, he said.
“Most countries have introduced training programmes via internet to keep their national sportsmen and sportswomen physically fit during the period of lockdown. It is the responsibility of Sri Lankan authorities to follow suit as soon as possible,” he said.
Renowned for producing several National and international level athletes, Jayaweera served as Sports Officer, Athletics Coach and Sports Administrator for a long period since 1968.
He is also credited for introducing the concept of ‘National School Games’ organised by the Education Ministry since 1984.
He was of the opinion that all schools and national sports competitions should be put on hold this year whereas coaches should focus of maintaining the physical condition of their charges instead, he said.
“It is unlikely that school sports championships could be held in future because the education of children has been stalled.”
“Then we have the GCE A/L and O/L Exams coming up. Parents will not be willing to send their children for sports activities. Even national level championships are not likely to be conducted this year.”
“The main reason being the commitment of sponsors will be less to sports events. Nevertheless, competitions or trials should be held regularly to assess the standard of sportsmen and sportswomen.”
“However, our main concern should be to prevent injuries to sportsmen and sportswomen during this period of lockdown,” said Jayaweera.
“Many international sports events have been postponed indefinitely to next year including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. No one from Sri Lanka has yet qualified for the Olympic Games.”
“The qualifying period has been extended to December 31 from July 31 because of the pandemic. However, with Sri Lanka being unable to take part in international competitions, it has affected their chances of qualifying for the Olympics,” he concluded.