http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=rehabilitation_beneficiary_youth_20120619_04

Rehabilitation Beneficiary Youth to receive International Sports Training

A programme was launched today (19th June) to unearth the sporting skills of beneficiaries of Rehabilitation centers and the rehabilitated and reintegrated youth at the Sugathadasa Stadium with the mediation of Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Prisons & Rehabilitation and Bureau for Commissioner-General of Rehabilitation.

The selected youth with outstanding sporting talents will undergo a Structured Sports Training programme conducted by expert coaches. This programme will be a boon to these talented youth to further enhance their sporting talents and skills.

Under this programme talented youth in sports such as Volleyball, Football, Cricket, Swimming, Karate, Rifle Shooting, Weight Lifting and Athletics will be directed to undergo the training programmes under the guidance of fully qualified International and National Sports Coaches, who will coach them personally.

It is not so long ago that these misguided youth were forced to take up arms against their own country and since having being guided to the correct path, their future now is clear. Expressing their views these talented youth say that they are grateful to all the governments' efforts in peace building and that there is no space now left for separatism.

These sporting progarmmes will bring the hidden talents of the youth which were restricted to Vanni to the attention of the whole world.

Hon Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Hon Minister of Prisions and Rehabilitation Chandrasiri Gajadeera, Commissioner-General for Rehabilitation Dharshana Hettiarachchi and a panel of distinguished personnel were present at the occasion.