Junior Development Committee starts Youth Awakening 2026 ahead of next Youth Olympics

From left: National Olympic Committee Secretary General Maxwell De Silva, President Suresh Subramaniyam, Junior Development Committee Chairman Shirantha Peiris, Secretary Fazil Hussian and Sports Ministry Assistant Director – Sports and Education Prabath Indika

The Junior Development Committee (JDC) appointed by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) is launching its operations under the program “Youth Awakening 2026” to identify and support young sportsmen and women of the highest calibre with a focus to produce star class athletes and increased success for the Sri Lanka National team in the international arena.

“Youth Awakening 2026” being the first of its kind looks to provide young athletes with consistent and continuous mentorship and training through a comprehensive threefold strategy adapted by the Junior Development Committee, by way of programs, direct athlete support and funding.

“When it comes to high performance, we take the top athletes in Sri Lanka. Although they are top in Sri Lanka they are far below against the rest of the world and the strategy put together by the JDC would be the answer that would raise the standard of sports in Sri Lanka and allow our athletes to compete with the rest of the world,” NOC Junior Development Committee Chairman Shirantha Peiris said.

Through programs created and developed to promote fundamental principles and values of Olympism in Sri Lanka; Athletes could look forward to being connected with trainers, nutritionists and sports psychologists who would play a key role in creating a healthy mindset and a positive approach towards their education, sports, and career.  

Young High Potential players are offered a unique advantage with The Direct Athlete Support program designed to identify and provide opportunities aimed to facilitate their development and expose them to the next level of their chosen pathway through School Placement programs and holistic sports training. 

Two interesting developments of the program include a ‘Health cover’: where all JDC contracted athletes will be provided with a free of charge medical cover for the duration of their contract; as well as a ‘Medal incentive funding program’ that would promulgate state funded grants or corporate funded incentives to athletes who showcase true potential to win a medal in the international games. 

The JDC takes pride in this unparalleled and one-of-a-kind program that is fully self-funded thereby reiterating its ethos which is to uplift athletics in Sri Lanka. Development of merchandise, marketing international competitions to attract sponsors, sustainability initiatives are a few steps taken towards direct funding.  While the JDC, through “Youth Awakening 2026” will truly awaken athletics in Sri Lanka to its true potential, Sri Lanka will see a continuity of top-notch athletes being produced making it an unceasing revolution. This movement is an ever advancing one, that would resonate throughout; in the face of Youth Olympics, Youth Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games etc. which presents itself as an excellent opportunity for corporates to add to their story and join hands with this exceptional initiative by dedicating themselves towards transforming the sports scene in Sri Lanka.