Former national boxing coach Amila cries foul at ABA Asian Games selections NOCSL watching situation

Renowned boxing coach, who held the post of national boxing coach, Amila Aravinda Thissera claims that the ABA authorities are punching below the belt when it comes to nominees for the forthcoming Asian Games which is scheduled to be in September this year.
Thissera cries foul that Mihiran Umayanga, in the 51kgs category who was in training for the Games since last year at the request of the ABA, has been omitted and Rukmal Prasanna who is fighting in the 57kgs category has been singled in.  

Rukmal did win his weight class at the last nationals, but Mihiran not only won his weight class, but was chosen the best boxer at the said championship.
Besides Mihiran is the only boxer who have had overseas exposure in recent times – taking part at the Asian Junior Boxing meet held in Thailand in 2022 and at the 2023 World Boxing Championship in Uzbekistan.

Originally, the ABA requested to prepare two male and two female fighters for the Asian Games, finally it was revealed that there was only one slot for boxing.
Also strangely, the new boxing coach is Harsha Kumara, who moved from coaching to refereeing five years ago.
However recently he has reverted officially and made a comeback as the national coach.
Mihiran made an international tour for the World Championship with Kumara and the duo met for the first time only at the Airport lounge ready for departure.
Thissera said that they already have made representations to the Ministry of Sport without much success because the Ministry says that they have to go by the nominations made by the respective association. They also have made representations to the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka on this development.
Meanwhile an NOCSL spokesman added, “This has been brought to the notice of NSSC’s Arjun Fernando and we are hopeful that a positive response will be heard in order to include the boxer who is the best bet for Sri Lanka.”

 “As the International Federation is now not recognised by IOC, they have officially requested the respective Olympic Committees to take care of their local boxing Athletes for games etc. and we are hopeful that President NOC will do justice for the boxers’ inclusion.”