After hosting costly Sports Fiesta 2024 Ministry refuses to fund junior athletes for World Meet

• Sports Ministry allocated budget is depleted 
• Director General seek Presidential Funds for athletes

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya

Twelve Sri Lankan junior athletes are at risk of missing the 2024 World Junior Athletic Championships in Lima, Peru, due to the Sports Ministry’s last-minute withdrawal of financial support. 

The Ministry, which recently spent heavily on a sports fiesta, cited a sudden budget shortfall, leaving the athletes without travel and accommodation and raising serious questions about the Ministry’s priorities. 

The World Junior Athletic Championships, scheduled from August 27 to 31 represents a vital opportunity for these young athletes to compete on an international stage. 

The Ministry’s announcement came at the eleventh hour, leaving no time for alternative solutions or intervention by private sponsors or other entities. 

With the Championship just days away and flights now fully booked, the likelihood of these 12 athletes competing on the world stage is rapidly diminishing. 

The selected athletes have received significant backing from Sri Lanka Athletic, which took the initiative to secure visas for the athletes and from MAS Academy, which provided their academy selected athletes with carefully selected nutrition supplies and high-quality travel gear. 

However, the responsibility of covering travel and accommodation costs fell to the government - specifically, the Sports Ministry - a responsibility that has been neglected. 

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, father of one of the athletes selected for the Championship, expressed his frustration: “It’s heartbreaking to see our children’s hard work and dreams jeopardised by this sudden lack of support.” 

“They have trained tirelessly for this moment and now their chance to compete on the world stage is at risk. We hope the authorities will step in and provide the necessary help to ensure they can take part in this competition.”

This development has sparked outrage, particularly considering the Ministry’s recent hosting of ‘Sports Fiesta 2024,’ a three-day national extravaganza organised in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism. 

The Ministry’s neglect is not without precedent. In 2022, athletes who qualified for the World Junior Athletic Championships in Colombia faced significant challenges due to delays in obtaining Visas, resulting in their arrival after the tournament had already begun. 

Some were forced to rush directly from the airport to their events, severely affecting their performances.

Meanwhile, when contacted Director General of Sports, Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando said the Sports Ministry allocated budget is depleted and had requested funds from the President’s Fund.

“We are a government ministry, and the government decides on allocations. We use whatever funds we receive to promote sports. National federations also have an obligation to raise funds through sponsorships or other means to support sports development in the country.” 

“Unfortunately, federations often shift responsibility to the ministry, expecting us to cover all expenses. Despite this, we have utilised every cent of our allocated budget this year to support each federation.” 

The Director General said that currently, government-allocated budget for the Ministry is depleted. “I have requested the Secretary to consider funds from the National Sports Fund, but they too have exhausted their funds,” he said.

“We have also asked the Minister who is the President, to consider allocating funds from the President’s Fund. I am hopeful that we will secure the necessary funds soon. If we do, all 12 athletes will be able to participate in the competition and bring honour to our country. I am actively working to secure this funding,” he said.