Minister of Sports Dullas Alahapperuma announced that everything is ready for the construction of Sri Lanka’s first sports university at the premises of the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama, Homagama that will be a huge boost for budding athletes to develop their skills.
Minister Alahapperuma further emphasized that sport is an indicator of development and good health of the country.
“It must be noted as part of a sports economy for the country as referred to in the Vision of Prosperity declared by President Gotabhaya Rajakapksa,” said Minister Alahapperuma.
“The concept is very important to focus on sports development and already a cabinet proposal has been made to start the contraction work of this National Sports University project.”
Minister Alahapperuma, Higher Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena and Sports Ministry Secretary KDS Ruwanchandra along with Sports University Committee chairman Dr. Chandra Embuldeniya who was the first Vice Chancellor of the Uva University visited the site on Tuesday (May 5) where construction work will begin in September on 125 acres of land. University Committee Chairman Dr Embuldeniya said that a sports university is a must for any country aiming to keep abreast with present day demands in the field of professionalism in sports with emphasis on training and research.
“Today most children neglect sports and focus only on academic exams and this should change.
“We have to search for those talented athletes who are born with it and show them the correct way to develop their talents and a National Sports University can give them a good opportunity,” said Dr Embuldeniya the Chairman of the university project.