AAA chief sure of delivering the goods
Earlier this week the officials of Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AAA) were suddenly baffled after receiving an official draft signed by the Director General of Sports, Ranjani Jayakody.
The letter instructed the postponement of the annual general meeting (AGM) of AAA which was scheduled for March 30 but didn’t explain why it was put off. It was clear that the incumbent President of AAA, Major General Palitha Fernando, has requested permission to stand in for the fifth consecutive year in office.
Athletics in Sri Lanka is in reconstruction. In addition the drought of athletics events raised additional doubts on the plans of AAA. Major international events such as the Asian Junior Championships, London Olympics and South Asian Games approaching, there appears to be a deafening silence on the athletic track.
“As at moment it’s off-season for athletics. We started our calendar with the under and over distance competitions. This is our first event of a year which helps the coaches in identifying the standards of the athletes,” Maj. Gen. Fernando told the Sunday Times in defence.
With very little heard about the progress of athletics it was reported that the Minister of Sports had other ideas by postponing the AGM of AAA as he was not contended with the progress of athletics during the concluded year. The local media reported that the sports minister had approached prominent figures of the local athletic arena to take over the leading role of AAA. But Maj. Gen. Fernando strongly rejected these claims saying that he and his committee had nothing to hide or had they nothing to defend on as they have been transparent in their responsibilities.
“The AGM was delayed as the sports minister had given a direction to stop the appointment of office bearers. I really do not know the reason behind it. But as I feel it, I think the minister wants the same committee to continue as the Asian Junior Championship project was initiated by us and it is to be held this year. I don’t see any other reason behind the delaying of the AGM as it will be held as scheduled on March 30. Our records in conducting competitions, training, development and administration were quite good last year. We have to declare that we experienced a productive year in 2011 and there’s no misunderstanding between the AAA and the Sports Ministry as some claim,” Fernando stressed.
But unlike in the past Fernando revealed that the AAA has been right be- hind in developing the structural and technical aspects on Sri Lanka athletics during the recent years with plans to win more medals internationally. Their concern according to Fernando is the SAG and the Asian Games 2014 while strengthening the local junior structure and converting it as a feeder to the top level.
“We had short and long term plans and we trained our coaches as a starter. They were trained in India and Cuba and in addition we managed to get the IAAF Level II course after six years which was held in Colombo for 25 local coaches. This was the beginning of scouting talents from all parts of the country. We spent nearly three years on this and today we are beginning to enjoy the surplus. You can’t produce an athlete overnight it has to be given time.” With only months left for the London Olympics 2012 many may wonder what plans AAA has in their bags to earn at least a place or a wild card entry. The deadline for London Olympics 2012 will be July 8 but Sri Lanka has not even given a glimpse of their hopes besides the Badminton player Niluka Karunaratne who has already qualified. Fernando however revealed that things are under control and Sri Lanka hopes to earn at least five individual entries in addition to a relay team.
“At the moment if you take the IAAF (International Amateur Athletics Federation) ranking list we have eight Sri Lankans among the top 50 in their respective events. This is the first time such an amount was able to qualify. The previous best was before the Sydney Olympics 2000, where Susanthika Jayasinghe won the silver medal, and during that time five Sri Lankans were ranked in the top by IAAF.”
“All these athletes have been given the independence to go outside Sri Lanka for training. We managed to get in touch with our international counterparts in getting them opportunities to train there with all the facilities free of charge. The discussions were successful and we were able to send three to Brazil, two to USA, one each to Finland, Kenya, Jamaica and China. There were ten athletes training overseas until last week as one had to come down for trials.”
The AAA chief further pointed out that they are in the process of forming a formidable women’s 4x400 relay team after considering individual performances of some short distance runners. In 2000 Sydney, Sri Lanka had a representation of two relay teams and two individual athletes which make a total of ten; the maximum to represent at an Olympic from Sri Lanka, which is regarded as the golden era of athletics.
“One must understand the fact that you cannot be on top right throughout. There are ups and downs in this game. Sri Lanka had a golden era when Kosala Sahabandu, W. Wimaladasa, S.L.B. Rosa and Sunil Gunawardena ran in the 1970s and until Sriyantha Dissnayake emerged in the late 1980s we had nobody. Then it was revived by Susanthika Jayasinghe, Damayanthi Dharsha and Sugath Tillakaratne who came into the scene after a long overdue stage. Again it’s time for the youngsters to emerge as we have to start fresh after spending almost four years aiming for medals,” recalled Fernando with hopes for the future with their unpredictable AGM just days away.