President pays tribute to Susanthika ..

President Maithripala Sirisena paid a glowing tribute to athletic queen Susanthika Jayasinghe for initiating an athletic academy and launching of a sports fund for the benefit of budding athletes at a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute today. The President said many sports stars end their careers without giving anything back to the game, but Susanthika has taken the initiative to start this venture where she could use her experience and knowledge for the benefit of young athletes in the Island. When Susanthika said she wanted to meet me a few weeks ago I thought it was like many others who come to me asking for favours and very rarely one comes to me to discuss about something for the benefit of the whole society. But when Susanthika asked my help for the proposed academy I was very much interested in the project because her willingness to serve the country by guiding the younger generation on the correct path, President Sirisena said. The President assured the help of the government through the sports ministry for the proposed athletic academy.

Fifteen years ago we celebrated her victory of winning an Olympic medal for Sri Lanka and today I decided to attend this event as a tribute paid by the Head of State after 15 years and we share the same feeling of victory he said. President Sirisena also said that not only Susanthika, but anyone who achieves targets faces many obstacles, so what is important is to face them with courage like Susanthika herself did. When I was the Health Minister I could not work independently and if I could, I would have settled most of the problems in the health sector.

I know the field of sports was worse so I do not blame the former sports ministers for the set back we had in the field of sports during the recent past, President Sirisena said. As the government we have had many discussions on how to improve the standards of sports in our country and I’m sure there is a necessity of a broader plan and effective strategies to develop sports in the island he said. The ceremony was held to launch Susanthika Jayasinghe Athletic Academy, Susanthika Jayasinghe Sports Fund and to launch ‘ My Story’ Susanthika’s autobiography. Susanthika’s then coach and manager Tony Campbell who flew all the way from America to attend the 15th year celebration said it was really tough to work with Susanthika at the beginning. When I first met her in 1998 I did not know where Sri Lanka is , but after two years when she won the Olympic medal in Sydney the whole world could witness Sri Lankan flag being waved he said. It has been 15 years since Susanthika won an Olympic medal but through all those years Sri Lanka has not produced another Olympic prospect to follow Susanthika. I request the President, the sports minister and other authorities to start today itself and make a plan and put that plan into practice to find another few athletes to repeat what Susanthika did. Susanthika Jayasinghe speaking on the occasion thanked everyone who have helped her and wished the same for the proposed athletic academy.

President’s Counsel Kalinga Indathissa also recalled how Susanthika had to face many obstacles and finally how she managed to overcome them to win an Olympic medal. Roshan Dammika Ranathunge of Kularatne MMV who was adjudged the best male school athlete and his coach Tiran Gamage and best female school athlete Yamani Dulanjali of Ambagamuwa MMV and her coach Anura Bandara were also felicitated on the occasion. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ports and Shipping Minister Arjuna Ranatunga, former Sports Ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Gamini Lokuge, Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thero, foreign diplomats, sports officials, celebrities and many distinguished guests were also present.

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