‘One Mile Challenge’ among top attractions in Sports Ministry’s new initiative

by Reemus Fernando

‘One Mile Challenge,’ a road running event, is among a series of talent identification competitions which is set to attract the interests of track enthusiasts when the Sports Ministry and its affiliate the Department of Sports Development launch a new initiative ‘Pubudamu Kreeda Tharu’.

‘Pubudamu Kreeda Tharu’

is a competition based talent identifying initiative which will be conducted in each district. The programme is aimed at identifying and developing talent for various sports.

“This programme is the brain child of the Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. The programme will help identify talented athletes who will be given special training to groom them for various sports,” said project officer Jayantha Siyamudali of the Department of Sports Development in an interview with The Island.

“Competitions to identify talent will be held in each district. With cash rewards awarded to winners we expect big participation,” said Siyamudali who will steer the programme with the support of fellow committee members Rukmal Wijeratne, Chaminda Jayawardena and Lakmini Samarasinghe.

“We will conduct the initial technical workshop on January 26 and 27 to finalize the programme and we are looking forward to commence it in March,” he said.

The new programme will be held in stages with the winners of each district advancing to a national competition. It will also be contested in Under-20 and over 20 age categories.

“Coordination and agility, strength and power, speed and strength, strength and balance and endurance are the key physical attributes which will be put to test.”

The ‘One Mile Challenge’ will be contested as a road event and the organizers are looking forward to use the experience they had gained when they conducted such events in Badulla in 2019.

A pro agility competition, a both leg jump competition, standing javelin throw or a cricket ball throw, standing on one leg and the one mile challenge are the disciplines that will be contested at the Pubudamu Kreeda Tharu competitions.

“Both leg jumps will help identify the leg power which is vital for various sports. We will train such athletes selected from this programme for suitable sports.”

Except the One Mile Challenge, other events will be contested at sports stadiums.

A pool of nearly 80 athletes will be selected from each district and they will be given special training at Provincial level. A final national level pool will be selected after the national competition. The winners of the national competition too will be presented with cash awards.