'Lack of resource persons holds back NE sports'

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 06 January 2004, 17:01 GMT]
The North East Provincial Education, Cultural Affairs and Sports Ministry's Secretary, Mr.R.Thiayagalingam, said Monday that sports performance in his province had recorded a low standard last year compared to other provinces in the country and this was due to lack of qualified sports coaches, resource persons and sports equipment.

Mr.Thiagalaingam addressed a conference of district sports officers in the northeast province Monday to obtain first hand information to formulate a sports development programme for the New Year. Provincial Assistant Director of Sports, Mr. K.W.Wimalarajah, participated with other officials of department of sports, sources said.

Mr. Thiagalingam requested the district sports officers to submit detailed reports to the ministry to formulate a development programme to give a boost to sports activities in the province. He appealed to sports officers to identify talented youths and organize a special development-training programme for them in their areas. His ministry would provide necessary assistance to implement the special training project, he added.

Mr. Thiagalingam said all sports clubs, which come under his ministry, would be revived on divisional and district basis.

Eight district sports officers, 80 sports officers and thirteen coaches are working in the northeast under the provincial ministry of sports. The cadre for sports coaches is 40 and now only 13 are working. No action has been taken to fill the vacancies for 27, sources said.