The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to setup container-based cross-fit gyms across the country at an estimated cost of Rs.625 million in a bid to inculcate an active lifestyle among the youth while providing some catalyst for progress in sports by 2022.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Namal Rajapaksa on Monday sought the approval for the innovative project under the theme ‘Let’s Win’ to build 500 outdoor gymnasiums island wide 
using containers.

The project is expected to benefit a population of an almost 100,000 in the country and further 5,000 athletes per annum, according to the Government Information Department.

The local Youth and Sports clubs are to be delegated responsibilities of operating these gymnasiums while ensuring minimum of one coach on a permeant basis in each facility. 

As per the targets of the proposed project, 250 outdoor gymnasiums using containers at selected locations island would become available to the public within 2021 and the construction of the remaining 250 gymnasiums is scheduled for completion in 2022.

In neighboring Maldives, in a similar move, its government has been establishing fitness centers as well as sports facilities across the entire nation. In 2019, the Maldives started building outdoor gyms in 61 islands with grant assistance from the Indian government.