SL can attract more international events – AASL President

It’s been 14 years since Sri Lanka last hosted a senior multi- sports international event, which was the South Asian Games, while it’s been 18 years since they hosted a major international athletics event, which was the Asian Athletics Championship in 2002.

With India even preparing to bid for the 2032 Olympic Games, Sri Lanka – the only South Asian Country to win Olympic medals in Athletics – struggled to host international events, mostly not due to financial issues but due to lack of proper facilities and will.  This has affected the development of athletics as lack of international events means less interest from the general public as well as the athletes to motivate themselves to perform better.

Sri Lanka did manage to host the Asian Junior Championship in 2012, Asian Grand Prix in 2013 and South Asian Junior Championship in 2018, where many athletes excelled, which helped promote as well as develop athletics around the country, and one could wonder what a great impact it will be if regular international level athletics events are held in the country.

President of the Athletics Association Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando reckoned that it will be soon be possible with the ongoing development of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium in Diyagama, where they have almost completed laying the new 400m synthetic track, while the main 400m track inside the stadium has to be refurbished.

“The outer 400m track at Diyagama (warm-up track) is almost complete with only track markings left. The inner 400m track (main track) is still in use despite it being more than ten years since it was laid and needs replacement. Once those things are done hosting an international event will be very easy for us,” said Fernando.

“Moratuwa University’s Institute of Technology is right in-front of the Diyagama stadium. It has modern accommodation facility for about 1000 pax, so we just have to discuss with the authorities and get those facilities to accommodate visiting athletes, which means there will be no transport cost. So with basic cost of food, refreshment and transport from and to Airport, we can easily host an international event even once a month,” added Fernando.

Fernando further described how he hosted the South Asian Junior Championship in 2018 incurring the bare minimal cost.

“In 2018 I told them (South Asian Federation) that we won’t be providing hotel facilities for athletes; instead we used the hostel at Sugathadasa Stadium and provided food (buffet) at the hostel. In order to sustain and host an international athletics event we have to do it with minimum cost and organize the competition well. That’s what’s important: to provide them with better quality and well organized competition, not five star accommodation,” said Fernando.

“That’s how Thailand is able to host many international events per year. With their stadium inside Thammasat University and stadium hostels they host the Asian Grand Prix, Thailand open and any junior or youth Asian level event with ease. We can follow the same model,” said Fernando.

Fernando also said it will be greatly beneficial to develop sports tourism and a sports economy in the country. When our athletes tour for international events, they spend at least USD 500 on something or the other, be it a tour around the city, shopping or food. In Thailand, branded sportswear companies set up temporary shops around the stadium, where even high end sports gear is available at arm’s length. Even in 2018 every athlete who came here spent more than USD 500 on shopping, even though they were here only for 2-3 days. So we could develop a sports driven economy, possibly produce few more job opportunities and business opportunities, all while developing athletics, motivating and supporting local talent.