Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne said that the aim of the Ministry of Sports is to develop the entire sports in Sri Lanka, and that efforts will be made to develop sports in other provinces as well as the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Stating that the government’s expectation is to increase the number of athletes who qualify for the Olympic Games, the Deputy Minister also stated that he hopes to provide the necessary facilities for athletes to advance in sports.
He said that he too had a difficult time as an athlete, and therefore he can understand the feeling that an athlete feels due to the lack of facilities.
The Ministry of Sports and the Department of Sports Development, the Northern Provincial Sports Ministry and the Sri Lanka Judo Association jointly organized a judo workshop and distribution of judo uniforms at the Kilinochchi Indoor Stadium yesterday (02).
The Deputy Minister expressed these views while participating in the event.
The workshop was held with the financial and labor contributions of the veteran judo coach Sensei Raj Fernando and his wife, who live in Sweden. The Deputy Minister of Sports further expressed his appreciation for his contribution in bringing judo to the athletes of Sri Lanka.
Over 50 judo players and coaches from all districts of the Northern Province, including Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Jaffna, participated in the workshop.
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