02 Medals in Athletics for Sri Lanka
CGF 07th Commonwealth Youth Games 2023 Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies – concluded after 08 days
The Games were held from 04th to 11th August with over 1000 athletes & para athletes, between the ages 14 to18, from the 68 nations & territories, participating in 93 events in 07 sports : Aquatics ( Swimming ), Athletics & Para Athletics, Cycling ( Road Race, Time Trial & Track ), Triathlon, FAST 5 Netball, Rugby ( Sevens ) & Beach Volleyball. Ministry of Youth & Sports approved 11 athletes ( 04 Girls & 07 Boys ) together with 07 officials to represent Sri Lanka in Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics & Beach Volleyball.he
Amidst near heartbreaks & no shows, the Sri Lankan contingent came up with a performance to prove that they were made of sterner stuff. Beset by obstacles to obtain a transit visa from some European destinations, due to non availability of visa appointments and / or non availability of flights, the majority of the contingent were often dumbstruck with only determination & hope – even in the eleventh hour just prior to their departure. Finally, the contingent was left with only one option, to travel via the circuitous USA route through the benevolence of it’s travel authorities. Nonetheless, Anura Bandara – Athletics Coach cum Manager, Nilmini Thilakaratne – Lady Chaperone & Gayan Sanjeewa – Masseur failed to obtain the necessary clearance to travel. The officials who were successful to accompany the team were : Sarath Kuragama – Chef de Mission, Manoj Abeysinghe Coach – Aquatic ( Swimming ), Mahesh Perera – Coach : Beach Volleyball & Ravihara Kulathunga – Manager : Beach Volleyball ( subsequently nominated as the Athletic Coach ). The team comprised of 04 Girls & 07 Boys : Aquatic ( Swimming ) – Hiruki De Silva ( G ), Akithmi Vihansa ( G ), Binura Thalagala ( B ), Disandu Niriella ( B ) – Athletics : Kasuni Nirmali ( G ),
Shalani Hansika ( G ), Ayomal Akalanka ( B ), Lesandu Arthavidu ( B ), Nilupul Pehesara ( B ) – Beach Volleyball : Manuja Nisal ( B ), Oliver Sameen ( B).
Maxwell De Silva, Secretary General – National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka said that it was decided to somehow participate at the Commonwealth Youth Games as a matter of courtesy & duty, whilst thanking the Ambassador of the USA in Sri Lanka, HE Julie J Chung for arranging the path for the local contingent. He was also to appreciate the assistance provided by the Ministries of Youth & Sports, Education & Foreign Affairs with unpresidented important decisions made for this purpose. Upali Amarathunga – Deputy Director / Sports, Ministry of Education emphasised that the recent results in Youth Athletics in Sri Lanka is a result of the joint programme now in progress between the Ministries of Youth / Sports & Education. He also placed on record the faith the authorities had in the officials on tour, sending the female athletes without the lady chaperone being with them. The Chef de Mission – Sarath Kuragama voiced his satisfaction in the entire contingent that left the country, coming back in this instance, winning 02 medals at these Games, after 2015.
Medal Winners :
Ayomal Akalanka : Ambagamuwa Central – 400 M Hurdles ( Boys ) – 51.61 sec : Silver Medal
Heat 01 – Semi Final : Lane 05 – 01st : 51.99 sec
Nilupul Pehesara : Vijitha Central, Dickwella – High Jump ( Boys ) – 2.00 M : Bronze Medal
10th competitor – cleared the 03rd & last attempt his 09th jump overall in the competition @ 2.00 M – 07th height of the event
Tokens of Appreciation were presented to Asanka De Mel – Chief Executive Officer, LOVI Ceylon & Narada Herath – Managing Director, Captain Promotions for partnering the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka in this instance.
Report assisted by Charuni Dissanayake
Photos courtesy NOCSL Media
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