In future, there would be no automatic entry to Olympic related events. The NOCSL has been notified that affiliated sports bodies need to prove their participation criteria within the next two weeks for the forthcoming Asian Games.
National Olympic Committee Secretary General Sri Lanka Maxwell de Silva told the Sunday Times, “Hereafter there would be no automatic inclusion to any of the Olympic related events from Sri Lanka.
“We expect that all affiliated sports bodies should engage themselves in competition level in the Asian region and get some sort of exposure before applying for events such as the Asian Games.”
He said that some of the sports bodies do not have exposure even at Asian level; but expect to participate at International events and invariably the competitors are not up to the required competitive levels.
“If they find it too expensive and unaffordable they could organise and host some international events in Sri Lanka. For a start it may be good and they would get the necessary international-level exposure through such events,” he said.
De Silva, however, pointed out that sports such as rugby, swimming, tennis and even sepaktakraw have been taking part in competitions at Asian level and they are likely to get the green light when it comes to such engagements at that level.
The Asian Games 2018 will be held from August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia. The competition will be conducted in two cities – Jakarta and Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra province.
At the last Again Games in Incheon, South Korea, Sri Lanka won a ‘gold’ and a ‘bronze’ ironically both medals were won by cricketers. The men won the ‘gold’ medal while the Lankan women won the ‘bronze’.
The gold winning team was led by Lahiru Thirimanne while Upul Tharanga was the vice captain. The team also included Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dinesh Chandimal, Ashan Priyanjan, Shehan Jayasooriya, Asela Guneratne, Alankara Asanka, Kosala Kulasekera, Dilhara Lokuhetti, Chathuranga Kumara, Isuru Udana, Chathuranga De Silva, Jeewan Mendis and Ramith Rambukwella.
www.sundaytimes.lk
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