October 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is preparing to make a historic appearance at the upcoming Asian Youth Games (AYG), with the island nation set to send its largest-ever delegation to the continental multi-sport event, taking place in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.
A total of 150 individuals will represent the country, including a record 100 young athletes—56 boys and 44 girls—who will compete across 12 disciplines. The athlete group will be supported by a team of 31 sport-specific officials and 19 members from the wider national delegation.
The young Sri Lankan competitors will take part in athletics, badminton, 3×3 basketball, boxing, esports, golf, kabaddi, swimming, taekwondo, beach volleyball, weightlifting, and wrestling—highlighting the growing breadth of youth sport development on the island.
Flying the national flag at the Opening Ceremony will be two standout athletes: Janidu Dhananjaya, the country’s top-ranked Under-16 boxer in the 52kg weight class, and Dilini Nethsala, a rising star in the long jump. Their selection as flag-bearers reflects both promise and performance in their respective fields.
This year’s participation comes with added significance as it marks the first time the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) will offer a daily allowance to athletes during an international youth event—a progressive step aimed at recognising their commitment and easing financial burdens on young sportspeople and their families.
Sri Lanka’s track record at the AYG includes a modest but meaningful medal haul. At the most recent edition in Nanjing in 2013, Sri Lankan athletes earned six medals, including a silver in the men’s 110m hurdles. The inaugural Games in Singapore in 2009 saw the country take home three medals, one of which was silver in the men’s 4x200m relay.
