News

Yupun finishes second at Savona International

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2023

Editor

Sri Lankan sprinting sensation Yupun Abeykoon finished in second place in the Men’s 100m Final at the 12th International Meeting ‘Citta’ Di Savona’ which took place on Wednesday (24) in Savona, Italy.

Abeykoon clocked 10.01 seconds (+2.7) to finish behind Britain’s Reece Prescod who clocked 9.94 seconds (+2.7). Ivorian Arthur Cissé (10.03 seconds) finished third.

Yupun considered the fastest man in South Asia, continued his fine form with a mesmerizing run in the first event of the year, but the 28-year-old was seen in a little bit of discomfort in the last part of the race and will undergo a MRI scan to find out the reason.

“I’m really happy with the way I started the season. Everything is going well as we planned, and I hope to do my best in everything in the future as well. As I said at the beginning of the year, our main goal is the Asian Games and The World Championship.

“But yesterday unfortunately I had to face an unavoidable situation during the last part of my final race as I was hitting top speed. My physiotherapist has advised me to do an MRI scan after 3 days (72hrs) in order to find out the reason for the incident. Thank you all for always being supportive” Yupun wrote on his official Facebook page.

Yupun will next features in the men’s 100m event at the Florence leg of the Wanda Diamond League 2023 on 2 June.

He will rub shoulders against some of the top runners, with the likes of reigning World Champion Fred Kerley, Olympic Champion Lamont Marcell Jacobs and Commonwealth Champion Ferdinand Omanyala in the line-up all set to race in Florence.

Yupun became the first Sri Lankan to compete in a Diamond League final when he dazzled the track in 2021 to finish in fifth position.

Athletics

Three Sri Lankan Athletes Qualify for World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2025

Editor

Colombo: In a historic achievement for Sri Lankan athletics, three national athletes have officially qualified for the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2025, set to take place from May 21 to 23 in Nanjing, China. This marks Sri Lanka’s largest representation at the prestigious event in over two decades.

Sri Lankan Athletes Heading to Nanjing 2025

The three Sri Lankan athletes who secured their spots based on performances and world rankings are:

Chamod Yodasinghe – 60m Sprint
Kalinga Kumarage – 400m
Kaveesha Bandara – 60m Hurdles

Their qualification comes after impressive performances at the inaugural National Short Course Championship, highlighting Sri Lanka’s growing potential in indoor athletics.

A Historic Moment for Sri Lanka

The last time Sri Lanka sent a team to the World Athletics Indoor Championships was in 2001 (Lisbon), where four athletes represented the nation. This latest qualification marks the largest contingent in over 20 years, showcasing significant progress despite limited indoor competition opportunities in Sri Lanka.

With preparations underway, these athletes will aim to make an impact on the global stage and elevate Sri Lanka’s presence in international athletics.

Stay tuned for more updates on Sri Lanka’s journey to Nanjing 2025!

News

Chinese Government Pledges Support for Sri Lanka’s Sports and Youth Development

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

Colombo: In a significant move towards strengthening sports and youth development in Sri Lanka, Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong met with Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumar Gamage, and Deputy Minister Eranga Gunasekara today (26) at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

During the meeting, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong congratulated the newly appointed ministers and reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s sports and youth programs. Discussions centered on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring actionable initiatives to uplift sports development in the country.

A key highlight of the discussions was China’s willingness to promote sports such as Tai Chi and Dragon Boat Racing in Sri Lanka. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of fostering international sports collaboration and expanding the sporting culture within the country.

This renewed partnership marks an important step in Sri Lanka’s sports development, paving the way for future investments and technical support to enhance local sporting infrastructure and training programs.

Stay tuned for more updates on this collaboration and its impact on Sri Lankan sports!

Football

Sri Lanka to Host the Prestigious 2025 SAFF Championship After 17 Years

Published

2 days ago

March 12, 2025

Editor

Colombo: Sri Lanka has officially been granted the hosting rights for the 2025 South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship, set to take place in June 2025. The decision marks a historic moment for Sri Lankan football, as the nation last hosted the tournament in 2008 alongside the Maldives.

The SAFF Championship is widely regarded as the “World Cup of South Asia,” bringing together the best footballing nations from the region. The 2025 edition will feature seven teams:

India (Defending champions and most successful team)
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Maldives
Nepal
Sri Lanka (Host nation)

With the backing of home supporters, Sri Lanka will look to capitalize on this opportunity and aim for a deep run in the competition.

SAFF Championship: A Look at Past Editions and Winners

The SAFF Championship, first held in 1993, has seen 14 editions so far. India has been the most dominant team in the tournament’s history, winning a record 9 titles. The Maldives and Bangladesh have each won the tournament twice, while Sri Lanka claimed their only title in 1995, when they hosted the event in Colombo.

Here is a look at the past winners:

India – 9 titles (1993, 1997, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2021, 2023)
Maldives – 2 titles (2008, 2018)
Bangladesh – 2 titles (2003, 2023)
Sri Lanka – 1 title (1995)

Sri Lanka’s return as the host nation in 2025 gives them a golden opportunity to reclaim the championship after 30 years.

If executed well, the 2025 SAFF Championship could mark the beginning of a new era for Sri Lankan football, helping the nation rise again in South Asian football.

Can Sri Lanka make the most of this historic opportunity? The countdown to SAFF 2025 begins!