Relaying of the Synthetic running track at the Sugathadasa stadium commenced today(5th) with the Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara inspecting the proceedings.
Sugathadasa synthetic track which served as country’s premier venue for athletics competitions was dysfunctional since 2011 and the authorities were forced to hold all the competitions at the Diyagama Mahinda Rajapakse stadium which is also in dire state due to poor maintenance.
Refurbishment of the neglected stadium commenced on the 14th of September with the Minster of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara ceremonially laying the foundation for the construction. The relaying of the track was scheduled to commence mid last year but was delayed as the awarding of the tender had to be passed through two tender boards with the initial awarding of the tender being challenged by a losing bidder. The relaying project has now been awarded to a joint venture between local construction giants Access group and the Swiss based CONICA Sports Flooring Company. With the work commencing mid last September, the track was supposed to be ready in December last year in order to provide the local athletes with an opportunity to train there as a number of international competitions are to be held this year but was further delayed due to bad weather hindering the progress.
The 200m training track and the 400m track are forecast to be completed by the 30th of March according to the ministry sources but will be ideal if the work can be completed before the 27th of March as the Junior National Championship which will be the selection trial for all young athletes who aspire to qualify for the Asian Junior Championship, and IAAF World Championship should be afforded the best possible resources to qualify.
 with the Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara inspecting the proceedings.){kind=link}