Sports Ministry allocates funds for Peru-bound athletes

Colombo, August 23 (Daily Mirror) - Following the Daily Mirror's exposure highlighting the risk of 12 Sri Lankan junior athletes missing the 2024 World Junior Athletic Championships in Lima, Peru, due to a last-minute withdrawal of financial support by the Sports Ministry, the Ministry has now confirmed that the necessary funds have been allocated for all athletes to participate.

The World Junior Athletic Championships, scheduled from August 27 to 31, is a crucial opportunity for these young athletes to showcase their talents on an international stage.

While Sri Lanka Athletics has provided substantial support by securing visas and MAS Academy has supplied the athletes with top-quality nutrition and travel gear, the responsibility for covering travel and accommodation costs rested with the government. The Sports Ministry had initially failed in this regard.

However, Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando said that the necessary funds for travel and accommodation have now been provided. "The matter has been resolved following the correct governmental procedures," he said.

Earlier, the Director General said that he had requested the President, who is also the Minister to consider allocating funds from the President’s Fund, as the government-allocated budget for the Ministry was depleted.

He assured at that time that he would secure the necessary funds soon, allowing all 12 athletes to participate in the competition.

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