The Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim. Hon. Presiding Member, thank you for the opportunity to speak on today’s debate on the Amendment to the Convention against Doping in Sport. I wish to highlight sports infrastructure deficits across several Divisional Secretariat areas in Ampara District.

¶ 02 Many backward areas lack modern sports grounds or even adequate playable space. In Navithanveli DS, there is no standard ground, and it was stated at the District Coordinating Committee that there is no suitable State land. In Pottuvil DS, athletes have struggled for 15 years to secure a public ground. With over 40 registered sports clubs and more than 30 youth clubs, athlete A.L.M. Ashraf has excelled nationally and internationally, earning medals despite lacking a modern training ground—commendable indeed.

¶ 03 Pottuvil Central College recently won at national-level cricket. I request the government to provide a public ground for the area—at Vattiveli, Kalappukattu, or Sarvodaya Pura.

¶ 04 Further, the Urani Saraswathi Vidyalayam has long sought a ground. Teachers, students, local representatives, and the Pradeshiya Sabha are trying, but the DS says no State land is available; the school remains backward. Please allocate State land for a school ground.

¶ 05 Several schools—Pasarichchenai Al-Ishaq, Al-Aqsa, Sengamam Meena, Noorananiya, Munawwara, Hijra, Manarul Uloom, Daarul Falaah—lack facilities, yet students still try to develop their talents. Even a single public ground there would boost student performance in sports. Registered clubs rely on sandy fields like Komari and Pasarichchenai Jalaludeen Square; conditions are poor. Renovating at least these could help athletes shine nationally and internationally.

¶ 06 Unlike other districts where athletes play modern hard-ball cricket, our district lacks facilities. I kindly request the Sports Minister to provide equipment and support in the Eastern Province, Ampara District. Pottuvil lacks a permanent Sports Officer; only temporary event-based appointments are made, with no office presence otherwise. To produce more talents like A.L.M. Ashraf and enable national participation, please appoint a permanent Sports Officer. If possible, urgently establish a modern sports ground in Pottuvil to uplift sports. Thank you.