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| Friday, 16 April 2004 |
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Unite for success in sports, says Jeewan by Dinesh Weerawansa Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Jeewan Kumaratunga yesterday called on all sportsmen and officials to forget individual differences, be united and work together for the success of Sri Lanka sports. The new Minister said this when he addressed officials and athletes after assuming office at his Ministry at Bauddhaloka Mawatha yesterday. Minister Kumaratunga said there have been a lot of problems in some national sports bodies as well as amongst sportsmen and women. "These problems mainly arise when sportsmen and officials work to their personal agendas and individual targets. What is needed is to work for a common goal with a greater national interest. If we work together, we could achieve success," he said. He said a collective effort should be made when Sri Lanka hosts the 10th South Asian Games in Colombo next year. "It is one of our main targets in the coming year. We must start early preparations and try to make it a success both organisation wise and the performance of our sportsmen and women. The Minister also stressed the importance of discipline and said that it should always come first and that the sportsmen and women should be the ambassadors and take the good image of the country to the world. The Sports Minister pointed out the necessity to change the National Sports Law to meet the future demands. "We have to change the National Sports Law to meet the present requirements. We also would introduce a National Sports Policy so that there would be one vision on a broader national interest," he added. Minister Kumaratunga said from now onwards, everybody should put aside their colour or party symbols and work hard to build the nation. Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sripathi Sooriyarachchi called on everybody to rally round the Minister and work towards a common goal. He said sports and youth affairs go hand in hand and accounts for a greater national interest. "We have to prepare for the Olympic Games, Asian Games and South Asian Games. Better programmes should be introduced for youth in this country and get them actively involved in the best interest of the nation," he added. Among the large gathering at the Ministry auditorium to greet the new Minister and Deputy Minister were sports officials, coaches, sportsmen and women. Also present at the occasion were senior Ministry officials headed by the Permanent Secretary, Director General of Sports Milton Amarasinghe, Deputy Director Derwin Perera, National Athletic Coach Lakshman de Alwis, Head of the Sports Medicine Unit Dr. Geethanjana Mendis, Dr. Seewalee Jayawickrema, National Olympic Committee Secretary General Cmdr. H.U. Silva and Sri Lanka's overall captain for the 9th South Asian Games, Susanthika Jayasinghe. |
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