The Ministry of Finance has agreed to provide the necessary financial allocations for 12 Sri Lankan junior athletes who are going to participate in the 2024 World Junior Athletics Championship in Lima, Peru. Accordingly, the athletes have been allowed to participate in the event as expected.
The World Junior Athletics Championships to be held from August 27 to 31 is a crucial opportunity for these young athletes to showcase their talents on an international stage.
The Sri Lanka Athletics Federation has provided substantial support for the visa process and the MAS Academy has provided the athletes with high quality nutrition and travel gear. The trip was hit by a crisis due to the failure of the Ministry of Sports to fulfill the responsibility of paying the travel expenses and accommodation expenses in the first instance.
However, Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando said that the necessary money for travel and accommodation has been given so far. “The issue has been resolved following proper state procedure,” he said.