Asian Junior Track and Field Championship meet put off

Sri Lanka has indefinitely postponed the 15th Asian Junior Athletics Championship 2012 that was scheduled to be held from June 9 to 12 in Sugathadasa National Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Sports Minister Mahi-ndananda Aluthgamage has told media that the Junior Athletics Championships has been postponed indefinitely but has not given a reason for the last minute decision.

However media reports said the Asian Athletics Association had decided to cancel the event following a visit by a delegation of the Association led by its Secretary Morris Nicolas to Sri Lanka from May 18-20 to inspect the arrangements for the event.

The Association has earlier expressed concern regarding Colombo’s arrangements for the championship at a session of the athletics administrators held in Thailand recently due to the incompletion of Sugathadasa Stadium and the change of administration of the Sri Lanka Athletics Federation.

Sri Lanka has upgraded the facilities at the Sugathadasa Stadium, in time for the event, the officials said.

A total of 850 athletes, coaches, and trainers from 43 countries were to participate in the event.