Triumphant amidst adversaries

Sri Lankan athletes who participated at the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinbago

7th Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinbago

Amidst near heartbreaks and no shows, the Lankan contingent at the 7th Commonwealth Youth Games 2023, which was held from 4 to 11 August at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago, came up with a performance to prove that they were made of sterner stuff.

Beset by obstacles to obtain a transit visa from some European destinations, due to non-availability of visa appointments and/or non-availability of flights, the majority of the contingent were often dumbstruck with only determination and hope – even in the 11th hour just prior to their departure. Finally, they were left with only one option – travel via the circuitous USA route through the benevolence of its travel authorities. Nonetheless, two of the athletic officials failed to travel via the USA too.

Yet, once they congregated at the venue, Sri Lanka’s Ayomal Akalanka and Nilupul Pehesara won silver and bronze medals respectively – much to the joy of the sparse Lankan community present at the venue. In fact, it was the first time since 2015 that Sri Lanka won medals at a Commonwealth Youth Games.

Remarkably, what made this achievement more outstanding was – that it was achieved without the presence of an athletics manager, coach or any other official going with the athletes due to not having a visa.

Akalanka of Ambagamuwa MMV, came second in the 400m Hurdles Boys’ final with an impressive time of 51.61s, while Pehesara of Vijitha MMV Dikwella, cleared a height of 2.00m to win the bronze medal in the Boy’s High Jump.

A total of 11 athletes from Sri Lanka (five track and field athletes, four swimmers and two Beach Volleyball players) participated at the games.