Athletics in the country has bagged a sponsorship deal under the guidance of the president of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) retired Major General Palitha Fernando who said his main task was to put athletes on a course for their future endeavours.
His efforts brought dividends at attracting Lyca’s Gnanam Foundation to sponsor the sport for the next two years.
The sponsorship was handed over to Palitha Fernando by Sudeva Hettiarachchi the Chief Executive Officer of Lyca’s Foundation at a media briefing held at the Ramada Hotel in Colombo on Monday (10).
Group Director GV Jayaseelan was also present at the function.
Speaking on the occasion Fernando said that they are happy to receive this support for the benefit of athletes in Sri Lanka who are faced with many difficulties at present due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This also happens to be the first sponsorship presented by Lyca’s Foundation for any sport. Fernando said that with many high ranking companies unable to come forward with sponsorships this gesture by Lyca’s Foundation will be highly appreciated by all athletes.
The sponsorship will only be utilized for athletes who are classed as the Elite Pool that consist 26 male and female athletes who are presently undergoing training in high altitude areas to get themselves acclimatized to cool climatic conditions. Middle distance runners are under the guidance of a Kenyan coach Dan Mopochi while a specialist Javelin throwing coach from
England is to undertake javelin throwers as part of the preparations for upcoming international events expected in the latter part of the year and early next year.
Major General Fernando said that Sri Lanka hopes to field athletes at the Asian Junior Athletic Championships and World Junior Athletic Championships expected to be held as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic clears.
“It has become a must for us to keep our Elite athletes in perfect condition to face these championships. This is why we have brought down these coaches. These athletes will keep moving from place to place giving them an opportunity to be in peek form under any climatic condition along with the coaches,” said Fernando.