We have to be optimistic to win medals at future international meets, says NOC chief
“We have to make proper system to upgrade the coaches and make good system to focus on international meets that pave the way to get more medals, said Sports Ministry Secretary Dr Amal Harsha de Silva at the Commonwealth Games medal winners felicitation ceremony held at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) Auditorium yesterday.
“National Olympic Committee and Sports Ministry have made duty to make a system and we all have to give support to build up the sports. We can talk about Commonwealth Games medal winners as well as their coaches but now we should go forward to focus future international events. We saw some media reports during the Commonwealth Games that stated that several Sri Lankan players and officials went missing at this event. However these type of incidents happened earlier too. I saw that type of incidents were the highlights of our local media. I think this is not nice to do by the media and that gives a negative picture about the country. This is not my advice but better highlight positive news to the public,” added Dr Amal Harsha de Silva.
Suresh Subramaniam the President of NOC said we had to make very difficult work to be successful at the Commonwealth Games. Some media reports asked what a big contingent for this games, while some mentioned NOC is like a travel agency. Those are very unfair statements not even the Secretary Maxwell de Silva was present this games while I had to stay full time to give support to my staff. Some people said many officials and that is also not true. we won one silver and three bronze from our tour party while only unpleasant thing was ten members went missing during this meet. Especially two media persons were vanished very binging of the meet.
Major General Dampath Fernando the chef de mission of the Commonwealth Games tour party explain what was happened and they had to deal with this unwanted matter, missing of players and officials.
Palitha Bandara silver medal winner from para sports discuss throw, Nethmi Ahinsa youngest wrestling Bronze medal winner, Isuru Dilanka Kumara bronze medal weight lifter and manger of the Yupun Abeykoon received especial mementos at this felicitation ceremony.