Time to scout for ‘Next Champ’ instead of living in past

Comments
By Editor_1
Susanthika Jayasinghe won the Olympic silver medal for the 200m event in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, the second Sri Lankan to win an Olympic medal and the first and only Asian to win an Olympic or world championship medal in a sprint event. She also won two gold medals at the 2007 Asian Athletics Championships and a bronze medal at the 2007 IAAF World Championships - ceylonathletics.com
0

By The Line Judge

Social media was abuzz on Monday (Sept 28) as Sri Lankans celebrated the glorious feat of Susanthika Jayasinghe winning an Olympic medal at the 2000 Sydney Games two decades ago. Many reminisced on the joy she brought to a nation starved of glory on the highest international stage. Ever since Duncan White gained a silver medal in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1948 London Olympics, Sri Lanka could not even dream of coming close to emulating his feat. That was until ‘Warakapola Rocket’ Susanthika came into the frame by winning a silver medal at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, Greece in the 200m. She ended a drought of 52 years with a dash of 22.28 seconds to finish third in her pet 200 metres event with her bronze medal being upgraded to silver after American Marion Jones was forfeited the gold after confessing to using steroids.

Susanthika’s achievement is phenomenal considering the personal struggles and scandals she faced while climbing up the ladder of success hailing from a rural hamlet in Kegalle. The hardships and controversies she had to endure have been well chronicled. She is undoubtedly an Olympic legend, being the first Asian to win an Olympic or world championship medal in a sprint event. As Sri Lankans unofficially celebrate the 20th anniversary of her Sydney milestone, it is pertinent to ask the sports authorities in the country whether they are going to sit on their laurels harping on the past glories.

Boxer A.W. ‘Barney’ Henricus was the first to win a gold medal at the 1938 British Empires Games (now Commonwealth Games) in Sydney for Ceylon as Sri Lanka was then known.  Weightlifting, boxing, shooting and athletics have brought a total of 20 medals at the Commonwealth Games while athletics leads the medal haul at the Asian Games from 1951 to 2014 bringing home 27 of the 46 medals of all shades. Sri Lanka has also produced a world champion in M. J. M. Lafir who won the world amateur billiards title in 1973. The 1996 World Cup triumph in cricket led by Arjuna Ranatunga is another storied event.

However, medals have come at sporadic intervals and not on a regular basis with athletics enjoying a golden era from the mid 90s when the likes of Susanthika, Damayanthi Darsha and Sugath Tillakaratne ruled the roost at Asian level. For instance it took 68 years for Sri Lanka’s boxers to win three bronze medals at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games after K. Edwin, Albert Perera and A.I. Obeyesekere won medals at the 1950 Auckland Games. Sri Lanka failed to win a single medal at the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia.

In this backdrop it is significant to note that the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) in partnership with Crysbro has launched a Rs 40-million program to sponsor 20 talented young stars who will be offered scholarships in a bid to identify the ‘Next Champ’.

“Our aim is to make sure that we start winning medals which has eluded us for decades. The time has come that we have to have many athletes continuously performing and winning,” declared NOCSL president Suresh Subramanium who related an interesting anecdote.

“Recently the World Cup winning cricket team celebrated 25 years since their triumph and I happened to be in Paris at the time. A friend of mine turned and asked me, so you win once in 25 years and you celebrate. That’s the time I thought OK, we can’t win once in a way and celebrate over and over again the past glory. We have to set a precedent, which the national federations gave us the mandate and we are trying to find ways and means to take the sport forward,” he pledged.

As NOCSL’s Director of High Performance and head of the selection committee for identifying the ‘Next Champ’, Susanthika Jayasinghe impressed on the budding athletes who were selected to stay focused and be determined to achieve their set goals.

“Those days we didn’t have sponsors. Today the new generation is fortunate. We had so many handicaps and obstacles. But we overcame with determination and kept our dreams alive driven by our target. Even though we are a small country and lack facilities, we should convert poverty into our strength by having a hunger for victory.  We have to have self belief and overcome these setbacks,” said Susanthika who couldn’t afford a pair of spikes when she was at school.

“I made lot of sacrifices unlike no other athlete in Sri Lanka. I didn’t have a place to stay in Colombo. But I had determination to succeed. Even during the Olympic final, you can’t imagine the fear, tension and anxiety I had to endure in my heart and mind,” she recalled going down memory lane.

Priceless words of encouragement from Sri Lanka’s only living Olympic medallist to the next generation.

Susanthika has the ability to inspire with her awesome achievement. Former Sri Lanka 100m record-holder Shehan Ambepitiya, a member of the selection committee of the NOCSL-Crysbro program, revealed the secret behind his success at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games where he won three gold medals.

“Susanthika was my role model. I used to watch her Olympic final race more than a thousand times. That is how I won three gold medals at the Commonwealth Youth Games,” said Ambepitiya.

The NOCSL-Crysbro scholarship program where selected athletes would be sponsored for the next two years is a laudable venture in promoting young talent. It is the first step in the long road to winning an Olympic medal. National Sports Associations are also running high performance programs for national level athletes. Winning an Olympic medal is the ultimate dream. However, Sri Lankans tend to be at mere participation in the Olympics for the moment and also rest on past laurels. Or wait in hope for another phenomenon like Susanthika Jayasinghe to emerge from out of the blue. Or ride on the coat tails of someone like Italian-based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon who has created waves in Europe by running a 100 in a South Asia and Sri Lanka record of 10.16 seconds.

-ENCL

Editor_1
You might also like More from author

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.

otc high blood pressure treatment blood pressure guidelines medications blood pressure pills that is safe for the liver high blood pressure medication levothyroxine blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure is there any difference in blood pressure pills high blood pressure child medication blood pressure medication recommendation nose blue blood pressure medication blood pressure is 150 68 should i take my medication blood pressure medication while nursing taking a bunch of high blood pressure pills aerobic exercise and blood pressure medication good blood pressure medication acupuncture treatment for low blood pressure best over the counter pills for high blood pressure blood pressure pill amlodipine besylate high blood pressure signs and treatment moderna vaccine blood pressure medication which blood pressure drugs do not cause tinnitus blood pressure medication fights cancer blood pressure medication skin rash side effects of high blood pressure medication impotence medication to avoid on blood pressure medications high blood pressure rx medication peripheral neuropathy caused by blood pressure medication high blood pressure in pregnancy treatment nice runny nose do to blood pressure medication how to get off of blood pressure pills hiv medication and high blood pressure niacin treatment for high blood pressure two drugs for blood pressure that caused cancer high blood pressure causing medications high blood pressure medication names canada blood pressure medication side effects alcohol i take 3 blood pressure medication blood pressure pills that help with anxiety what iv drug raises blood pressure list of doctors who formulated blood pressure medications how to remember blood pressure medications sleeping pills blood pressure how fast does blood pressure medication take effect sweet n low high blood pressure medication home treatment for blood pressure high blood pressure medication matrocet high blood pressure medication doses blood pressure drug bystolic iberstaron blood pressure medication blood pressure medications st alphabetical celexa and high blood pressure medication does blood pressure pills irritation skin can i take combivent with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications beta blockers list what to do if blood pressure medication does not work drugs to lower your blood pressure red beet pills for blood pressure taurine and blood pressure medications how ling for garlic pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication list and side effects can i take aspirin with high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication teaching about hot tubs water pills high blood pressure over counter what is an arb medication for blood pressure resveratrol high blood pressure medication high blood pressure medication and weight loss gum disease and blood pressure medication benzenesulfonic acid in blood pressure medication taking two blood pressure pills by mistake allergy pills for high blood pressure blood pressure prescription drugs safety blood pressure medication in pregnancy trazodone and blood pressure medication which blood pressure medication is linked to skin cancer list of blood pressure medications with the least side effects could blood pressure medication make blood thicker disadvantages of high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications ludipril typical drugs for high blood pressure otc water pills for high blood pressure blood pressure medications that do not doncause bowel blockage high blood pressure after corrosion treatment how soon does high blood pressure medication work blood pressure medication teaching amertyrine high blood pressure medication increased blood pressure and heart rate after drug overdose over the counter drugs high blood pressure blood pressure medication 25 is blood pressure medication a nitrate most effective blood pressure pills blood pressure medical does red yeast rice interfere with high blood pressure medication can apple cider vinegar pills lower blood pressure does blood pressure medication give you headaches high blood pressure medication and driving should you take blood pressure pills with food inn blood pressure drugs can you eat bananas if taking blood pressure medication popular high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication los blood pressure medication second drug low blood pressure and hypertension medication do water pills lower blood pressure high blood pressure pill aqunadine high blood pressure cholesterol medication how does medication lower blood pressure acetaminophen blood pressure medication blood pressure medication 30 mg that works around the heart what does grapefruit do to blood pressure medication can red yeast rice be taken with blood pressure medication pharmaceutical treatment for high blood pressure are blood pressure pills statins blood pressure pills that start with r blood pressure medication and male impotence taking baby aspirin with other high blood pressure medications what is the medical name for a blood pressure cuff leg cramps and blood pressure medication blood pressure pill name starts with p natural high blood pressure treatments blood pressure medication names losartan higher blood pressure with radiation treatment medical marijauna high blood pressure how to avoid medication for high blood pressure what time is best to take blood pressure medication medication for palpitations and high blood pressure latest news on blood pressure treatment what if i take two blood pressure pills does xanax interfere with blood pressure medication amlipan blood pressure medication vitamin e and blood pressure medication tell me the side effects of high blood pressure medication herbs pills to lower blood pressure blood pressure medication urge to urinate what medication will safely replace lisop as blood pressure medicine active ingredient in high blood pressure medication blood pressure medications cause adrenal tumors is biktarvy ok to take with high blood pressure medication alembic blood pressure medication sandoz blood pressure medication exercise high blood pressure medication grapefruit pills blood pressure treatment for high blood pressure at home blood pressure medication for patients with osa cycle on off blood pressure medication blood pressure drugs that do not cause heat sensitivity blood pressure medications that do not cause coughing what blood pressure medications do not cause rosacea pfizer blood pressure medication side effects do garlic pills really help lower blood pressure should i take medication for anxiety induced blood pressure treatment for uncontrolled blood pressure decongestant medication high blood pressure can stiff days be used with high blood pressure medication how long does it take medication to lower blood pressure what if i miss a blood pressure pill tribenzor high blood pressure pills law lawsuit 2023 treatment of sudden drop in blood pressure zoloft and blood pressure medication orange high blood pressure pill cancer blood pressure pill why cant people with high blood pressure take keto pills how long for blood pressure to go down mini pill should i get second opinion before taking blood pressure medication blood pressure erectile dysfunction medication high blood pressure medication m lot ben medical device lowers blood pressure puppy ate blood pressure pill are there medications for low blood pressure dod blood pressure medication is losartan a blood pressure pill combination drugs for blood pressure marijuana and blood pressure medication interaction blood pressure medication interactions with grapefruit can you eat bananas while taking high blood pressure medication steps before going on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when to cut down foods to avoid on blood pressure medication blood pressure medications depression blood pressure medication non beta blocker tattoos and high blood pressure medication what is the medications used to lower blood pressure quickly high blood pressure medication leg swelling blood pressure medication men in your 40s blood pressure medication wieight loss blood pressure medication hy can blood pressure medication lower blood sugar does blood pressure medication make you pee natural treatment high blood pressure during pregnancy can you take l arginine with high blood pressure medication what class of blood pressure medication can can blood pressure pills reduce appetite faa approved medication for high blood pressure high blood pressure medication during pregnancy best blood pressure medication for type 2 diabetes blood pressure and pain medication pain medication that does not affect blood pressure best high blood pressure drugs on the market if you take incorrect medications to lower blood pressure low blood pressure treatments does your body have to adjust to blood pressure medication why water pill for high blood pressure drugs for treatment of very high blood pressure during pregnancy can i drink grapefruit juice with high blood pressure medication can blood pressure pills make you feel cold high blood pressure medication that helps with weight loss amlodipine blood pressure drug blood pressure medication for infants varicose veins blood pressure medication life extension high blood pressure medication does tylenol interfere with blood pressure medication can i take diamox with other high blood pressure medications prestige medical blood pressure cuff calibration drugs used for high blood pressure chamomile tea and high blood pressure medication narcotics stored alongside blood pressure medications in does nutrigrove blood pressure pills work extremely low blood pressure treatment blood pressure medication for iga nephropathy blood pressure medication low side effects can i increase my blood pressure medication what is the best blood pressure medication to take drugs that cause increased blood pressure does biotin interfere with high blood pressure medication cani od on high blood pressure pills blood pressure medication that also helps with jerking blood pressure medication categories first line treatment of high blood pressure medication for low blood pressure in usa armour thyroid drug interactions blood pressure meds hepatitis c treatment high blood pressure high blood pressure arb drugs low blood pressure treatment with essential oils high blood pressure medication list for pregnancy blood pressure medication and snake venom blood pressure medication low dose liquid blood pressure medications ivf drugs and high blood pressure left my blood pressure medication does it matter when you take blood pressure medication can you take blood pressure pills twice a day privilin blood pressure medication how big are blood pressure pills once you start blood pressure medication can you stop diuretic in blood pressure medication what medication reduce blood pressure new blood pressure treatment prescribed home medications for high blood pressure blood pressure medication side effects forums taking blood pressure pills dizzy when bend over a lot blood pressure medication and nyquil cinnamon pills and high blood pressure temporary high blood pressure treatment single agent blood pressure medication blood pressure medication made in china fda approved medications to reduce blood pressure immediate treatment for high blood pressure at home best time to take blood pressure pills muscle loss on high blood pressure medication blood pressure medication when needed treat high blood pressure without medication blood pressure medication side effects for men cbd pills for high blood pressure blood pressure regulation without medication blood pressure medication and pre workout high blood pressure alzheimer disease and antihypertensive treatment miss blood pressure medication blood pressure pills suicide peaceful emergency drugs for low blood pressure common blood pressure medications in canada systolic blood pressure define medical viril and high blood pressure pills can statin drugs help lower blood pressure do you have to wean off blood pressure medication new drugs for blood pressure when is high blood pressure medication necessary drugs for hi blood pressure cold medications and blood pressure taking 2 blood pressure pills mistake why doctors stopped prescribing blood pressure medication common high blood pressure medication canada what side effects does blood pressure medication have ulcer medication high blood pressure can high blood pressure medication elevate alkaline phosphatase blood pressure medication warning getting blood pressure medication jamaica alkaline water and blood pressure medication blood pressure going up and down with medication drugs reduce systolic blood pressure treatment for rapid high blood pressure low blood pressure alternative treatment do all high blood pressure medications cause weight gain medication for increasing blood pressure blood pressure medication for african american males vitamins for high blood pressure treatment aleve with blood pressure medication how to lower blood pressure without pills blood pressure triple pill who blood pressure guidelines for hygiene treatment what drug reduces blood pressure blood pressure medications enalapril met blood pressure medication