Sri Lanka Athletic (SLA) has decided to have athletes from Sri Lanka to participate in 14 international athletic meets in 2024 and they have busy calendar in next year while France Olympics is the key event of the athletes.
SLA President Rt Major General Palitha Fernando said that steps will be taken to get athletes from Sri Lanka to participate in international tournaments mainly targeting the France Olympic Games qualification. At the moment athletes having off season but most of them already training at Nuwara Eliya (High attitude training).
In addition, the South Asian Games Sports Federation plans to hold the South Asian Games in 2024 in Lahore, Pakistan after 2019, so SLA hopes to have athletes participating in all athletic events. Giving more opportunities for the International exposure is always a big boost for athletes while during 2023 Sri Lankan athletes have shown their potential at the International meets to grab more medals, added Athletic Chief. The 20-year-old Tharushi Karunaratne from Walala A. Ratnayake MMV shown her potential to win medals at Asian Championship as well as Asian Games in China while experienced Gayanthika Abeyratne also in good form.
The 400m athletes Aruna Dharshana and Kalinga Kumarage are also in good form in their events and all these athletes are busy to focus on next Olympics. Meanwhile SLA also looking to arrange foreign training for few athletes while they are expected to discuss with new Sports Minister Harin Fernando regard this issue, added National athletic coach Y.K Kularatne.
SLA also plan to send athletes for Asian Marathon in Hong Kong and then Bangladesh marathon. Athletes for these events have to be selected. The race working meet also scheduled to be held in Chandigarh, India and Sri Lanka athletes are planning to take part in this event .
Meanwhile senior and junior selection trials 2024 is scheduled to be held from March 1 to 3 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Dhammika Ratnaweera-CDN
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