SLASU requests ministry for foreign coaching expertise

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) has made a formal request to the Sports Ministry to obtain the services of four foreign coaches for swimming and a Director of Coaching from abroad for a period of two years, according to SLASU President, Nethru Nanayakkara.

This was in response to the Sports Ministry’s inquiry from all National Sports Associations about their future programmes and requirements, the SLASU President said.

Sri Lanka requires foreign expertise to prepare for upcoming international events such as the World Swimming Championships and Tokyo Olympics which was postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic, in addition to the 2022 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Nanayakkara had pointed out.

The reason for four different coaches is because SLASU overlooks swimming, diving, water polo and synchronized events. In addition all local coaches will coordinate their activities with the high-profile director of coaching, the SLASU President had explained in their request.

Meanwhile, since there were no international competitions this year because of the viral outbreak, no Sri Lankan has yet been able to qualify for the Tokyo Games scheduled to be held in August next year.