The newly-elected President of the Sri Lanka Wushu Federation (SLWF) Manel Dharmakeerthi said that their main goal is to win a medal at the 2022 Asian Games in China.
“We have talented athletes in this sport but the most important thing is that we have to give them the correct guidance to achieve success at international events,” said Dharmakeerthi who was re-elected (uncontested) for the second time.
“Once again I have a good team to promote this sport and we have plans to uplift this sport. Due to COVID-19 we missed several activities but we are looking forward to doing well as soon as the situation returns to normal,” he stressed.
“From 2017 to 2021 Sri Lanka were able to win four Gold Medals, 14 Silver Medals and seven Bronze Medals,” he explained.
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Manel Dharmakeerthi (President)
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“At the last Asian Games in Jakarta, Pathum Balawardana came fourth in the sanda 60kg event and narrowly missed the Bronze Medal. I think we have to give proper infrastructure facilities to the players and that is our duty.”
“Lack of an official sponsor for this sport is a big issue and we have to work hard for this. As officials we have to work together to develop this sport and I am sure the Sports Ministry will give their support to move forward,” he commended.
“We don’t have a permanent place to perform the ‘taolu’ exercises and we got to build a stage to perform ‘sanda’ two of the main events in wushu,” he lamented.
“These are the main difficulties for our athletes. We have to work hard to fulfil these facilities and if we could improve these facilities we can win more medals,” Dharmakeerthi added.
Sri Lanka’s achievement during the last four years:
2017: Bronze Medal from sanda sport at the World Championships in Russia. 2018: Two Gold Medals and eight Silver Medals at the eighth Khunfu Tournament in China. 2018: Bronze Medal at the Sanda World Cup in China. 2018: Fourth place at the sanda 60kg event (Pathum Balawardana). 2019: Two Gold Medals, six Silver Medals and five Bronze Medals at the South Asian Games in Nepal.
Office-bearers of the Sri Lanka Wushu Federation for 2021/2025:
President: Manel Dharmakeerthi. Secretary: Vijith Edirisinghe. Vice-President: Mahendra Ekanayake, Kithsiri Subasinghe, Aruna Kumara, Nishantha Pathiraja and Lakshman Karunaratne. Assistant Secretary: Ajith Karunaratne and Ajantha Bandara. Treasurer: Harendra Jayatissa. Assistant Treasurer: Jagath Weerasinghe. Tournament Secretary: Ananda Kumara Herath. Tournament Assistant Secretary: Brian Janson and Jeewan Maduranga. Chief Executive Officer: Ruchira Bodhinagoda. Executive Committee: Chamara Dharmadasa, Niroshan Bandara, Viraj Denuka, Wasantha Ranjith Bandara, Shantha Fernando, Rasanjali Menaka and Krishantha Kasthuriarachchi.
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