Sri Lankans squabble over lack of coaches at Olympics

Tuesday, 21 May 2013

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Tamil Guardian 08 August 2012

The Sports Minister of Sri Lanka and captain of the Olympic delegation to the 2012 Games have clashed over the lack of coaches sent to accompany to athletes at the Olympic Games in London.

Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage stated that the Olympic Committee went against his advice, commenting,

"I told the Olympic Committee to allow Niluka's father to travel to London. I also advised the shooting association to send Mangala Samarakoon's coach but I was told by the OC that it was too late as they have already sent the list."

Recently the Sri Lankan opposition party, the UNP, criticised the government stating that Sri Lanka has the highest number of Olympic officials compared to the number of athletes.

Marathon runner Cooray agreed with the Minister, stating that the coaches were needed for their "psychological well being".

However, the captain of the Olympic delegation said that he requested his father to travel with him as a coach, but was denied access by the Sri Lankan authorities. This was strenuously denied by the Minister who said,

"It is a total lie... I advised Niluka to take his coach with him but it was Niluka who wanted to take his sponsor, Mr Rohan with him."

"And the ministry paid for the air tickets of Niluka's father and the president of the badminton association, Parakrama Basnayake."

See the full report from the BBC here.

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