Sri Lanka Athletics softens selection criteria to include more in to elite pool

Sri Lanka Athletics has prioritized relays as international medal winning disciplines and the athletics governing body looks forward to a busy year with international competitions. Officials responsible for selections took a decision, to include in the Elite Pool several sprinters who missed entry standards at the National Championships, in a bid to form strong relay teams for future international events.

Women’s 400 metres champion Nadeesha Ramanayake and the runners up of the men’s 400 metres narrowly missed the entry standard to qualify for the elite pool at the National Championships. But Sri Lanka Athletics made amends to include them in a list sent for Sports Ministry ratification.

Women’s 800 metres specialists Dilshi Kumarasinghe, Nimali Liyanarachchi and Gayanthika Abeyratne, sprinter Amasha de Silva and long jumper Sarangi Silva in the women’s category and sprinter Kalinga Kumarage in the men’s category were the only athletes who reached the required standards at the Nationals concluded on Tuesday. While Italy based sprinter Yupun Abeykoon is included in the elite pool for his record breaking 100 metres dash early this year, the US based marathoner Hiruni Wijeratne is in the pool due to her impressive record in the marathon.

Mixed relay, which Sri Lanka is yet to compete in internationally has been identified as a potential medal winning discipline. Current 400 metres champion Nadeesha Ramanayake and 800 metres specialist Dilshi Kumarsinghe are the potential athletes who could make the mixed relay alongside the two men’s 400 metres sprinters. In the women’s 400 metres Ramanayake clocked 53.47 seconds which was milliseconds behind the entry standard. Kumarasinghe was in the elite pool on the back of her fine 800 metres feat.

The runners up of the men’s 400 metres Rajitha Rajakaruna, Aruna Dharshana, Isuru Lakshan and Pasindu Kodikara have been included in the pool to join champion Kumarage who made a return to athletics after two years.

Athletes for the men’s 100 metres and women’s 100 metres teams also have been named based on their performances at the National Championships. Apart from the elite pool a national pool consisting of 20 other athletes has also been selected.

(RF)