Asian Junior Championship 2020 cancelled

The Asian Junior Athletics Championship 2020 was cancelled due to the continued spread of the novel Coronavirus, according to the Asian Athletics Association.

“The Thailand Government has issued a memorandum to cancel or delay all sports events in Thailand. This countermeasure is necessary to contain the spread of the virus. Hence, the Athletic Association of Thailand has decided to cancel the Asian Junior Athletics Championships to be held from 14 -17 May 2020, in Bangkok, Thailand” a statement from the Asian AA said yesterday.

This is a huge blow for Sri Lankan athletes such as Parami Wasanthi Marisstella , Youth Olympic bronze medallist , Shelinda Jansen, Youth Olympic ninth placed 200m sprinter ,Navishka Sandeesh , last year’s Asian youth Silver medallist and  Sadeepa Henderson, last year’s Asian Youth finalist , who are all in prime form and with medal winning capability in the junior category.

Sri Lanka won their biggest medal tally at the last Asian Junior Championships in 2018 with 3 golds,4 silvers and 2 bronze medals and this year’s team could have repeated this feat or even done better, if the tournament went as planned.

Unlike other senior championships, these athletes will have another opportunity to compete at an Asian Junior Championship as they will be overage for the event next time.

The Asian Indoor Athletics Championship, World Indoor Athletics Championship , Asian Race Walking Championship , World Half Marathon Championship, Hong Kong Marathon , South Asian Cross Country Championship are a few competitions which have been cancelled or postponed due to the novel Coronavirus so far.