Sri Lanka to compete in 13 top athletic events in 2023

SLA President Major Gen. (Rtd) Palitha Fernando (C) at the press conference, Prema Pinnawala (SLA Secretary) and Shantha De Silva (SLA Treasurer)

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) have decided to participate in 13 international events in 2023, with the intention of providing more opportunities for the local athletes to win medals at the highest level.   

The South Asian Games, Asian Games and the World Athletic Championships are the main events that SLA are focusing next year in addition to the 4th Asian Under-18 Athletic Championship in Kuwait, 10th Asian Indoor Athletic Championship in Kazakhstan, Asian Race Walking Championship in Japan, 5th Asian Youth (Under-18) Athletic Championship in Uzbekistan, 20th Asian Under-20 Athletic Championship in South Korea, 25th Asian Athletic Championship in Thailand, Asian Throwing Championship in South Korea, 18th Asian Marathon Championship in Hong Kong.   

SLA have also decided to provide all necessary requirements and preparations for the promising young Sri Lankan athletes to compete at these international events successfully.   

In addition, SLA will hold discussions with the Sports Ministry, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and some of the foreign missions in the country in order to provide the much-needed overseas training for the local athletes.   
Meanwhile, SLA President Major General (Retired) Palitha Fernando said that only Yupun Abeykoon has qualified to compete at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.   

The IAAF have set aside very high qualifying standards for the World Athletics Championships and therefore, SLA is keen to provide more international exposure to field more athletes for the World showpiece event.