By Susil Premalal

In a major boost for sports reeling from the Coronavirus pandemic, Gnanam Foundation has come to the rescue of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) by handing a sponsorship package amounting to Rs. 10 million for a period of two years.

AASL President Major General (Rtd) Palitha Fernando pledged to use it solely for the development of National athletes to prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which has been postponed to next July.

“I presume it will be the first time a charitable organisation is sponsoring a sports organisation. We see sports as a way of developing human values and making good people. We are very proud and pleased that we have an opportunity to support the Sri Lankan community,” said G. T. Jeyaseelan, Group Director, Ben Holdings (Pvt) Limited at a media conference held at the Ramada Hotel in Colombo yesterday.

“The objective of the Gnanam Foundation is primarily to assist communities which are vulnerable through natural and human disasters. We are very proud to be associated and are looking forward to supporting the Athletic Association,” he said.

Meanwhile, the AASL President outlined the achievements of Sri Lanka’s athletes from the South Asian Games to Olympics having a promising bunch of junior athletes who can carry the baton in the future. However, the biggest challenge they face at Asian level is because African and Caribbean athletes are representing West Asian countries.

“The sponsorship we have got from the Gnanam Foundation is a massive boost for athletics. It will be used only for the development of athletes and not for foreign tours. We will ensure there is transparency and accountability in every cent we spend from this valuable sponsorship,” said Major General Fernando.