PM reveals plans to promote sports in schools to international level

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said that the Government, which took steps to uplift education and sports, will construct 500 training centres fully equipped with international-level sports facilities at selected schools within the next three years.

Wickremesinghe said that the provision of these facilities will enable the schools to win medals from school to international levels.

The Prime Minister expressed these views at the inauguration of the 34th All-Island School Sports Festival, which kicked off at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said it is the duty of the education sector to identify the abilities of the children of the country, and the All-Island School Sports Festival commenced 34 years ago under his leadership to do just that.

Speaking further, Wickremesinghe said the children who study in schools show talents in various fields such as mechanics, education, sports leadership, and technology, and the Government’s aim is to create a future for their talents.

“Today, Sri Lankan school athletes become eligible for Asian and international-level sports events. We should train Sri Lankan players who not only qualify for those events but who can also challenge the international level athletes,” he said.

“We have already joined the National Olympic Committee in setting up the Prime Minister’s Fund for the betterment of the Sri Lankan sports sector,” he said, adding that the Fund’s aim is to assist the athletes.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said the Government plans to recruit 3,850 sports trainers to advance school sports.

Also, under the 13-year continued education system, even if the students fail the GCE Ordinary Level, if they are talented in sports, the Government has provided a way for them to advance – even to the university level, the Minister said.

Education Ministry Secretary Sunil Hettiarachchi and officials, school sportsmen and sportswomen participated in the event.