Saman Kumara selected uncontested as secretary of Sri Lanka Athletics

The recorder position of Sri Lanka Athletics’ became vacant for the first time in three decades yesterday after Saman Kumara Gunawardena who held that post was selected uncontested for the secretary post of the association at a Special General Meeting held on Thursday.

Sri Lanka Athletics conducted a Special General Meeting to elect a secretary yesterday and Saman Kumara was selected uncontested.A former student of Seethawaka Central, Avissawella and Dharmapala College, Pannipitiya, Saman Kumara won medals at Public Schools (Sir John Tarbat), All Island Schools Games and Junior Nationals Championships in his teens and has been a live wire at Sri Lanka Athletics ever since he was selected as the recorder in 1992.

He was a sports officer at the Ministry of Sports from 1985 to 1996 before joining the Department of Physical Education of Kelaniya University as an instructor in 1996.

He has been the Director of Physical Education of the University since 2008, the recorder of the Sri Lanka Universities Sports Association (since 2007) and held a number of positions in Sri Lanka Athletics sub-committees including the chairman position of the Selections, Standards, Records and Statistics sub-committee.

He has functioned as the manager of the athletics teams at four Asian Games and three World Championships.

The secretary position of Sri Lanka Athletics became vacant when Prema Pinnawala resigned from the post recently. Saman Kumara will function as the secretary till May 2025.The recorder position will be filled when the next Executive Committee meets. (RF)