In a groundbreaking move to elevate Sri Lanka’s presence on the global athletic stage, MAS Holdings has announced a monumental investment of over Rs. 550 million towards the establishment of the MAS Athlete Training Academy. This initiative aims to identify, nurture, and support promising young athletes, empowering them to represent Sri Lanka at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics.
This initiative represents Sri Lanka’s largest Public Private Partnership (PPP) in athletics development, encompassing collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL), Sri Lanka Athletics Association (SLAA), and the Sri Lanka Olympians Association (SLOA). The comprehensive development program will span eight years, focusing on providing holistic support that includes specialized training, world-class athletic gear, international exposure, nutritional and educational support, and direct funding to athletes and coaches.
MAS Holdings Co-Founder & Chairman Mahesh Amalean highlighted the significance of this initiative: “Over the years, all of Sri Lanka’s Olympic medals have been in athletics. It is a sport with immense potential but limited support. Many successful athletes come from rural and impoverished backgrounds. We felt it was time to make an impactful investment to harness the potential of Sri Lankan athletes and prepare them to compete and succeed at the highest level globally.”
In partnership with key national institutions, the MAS Athlete Training Academy will implement a meticulous process to identify and nurture talented athletes from schools across the country. Athletes demonstrating outstanding performance will be selected through specialized testing and selection camps. The academy will provide comprehensive support throughout their athletic careers, including funds, equipment, educational assistance, nutritional supplements, coaching allowances, and opportunities for international training and exposure.
Following an evaluation of more than two hundred athletes from the all-island school games held in May 2024, the academy has selected its first batch of 56 athletes—24 girls and 32 boys—from across the country’s nine provinces. These athletes represent various short, mid, and long-distance track events as well as numerous field events. Their performance and training metrics will be meticulously tracked using a best-in-class digital app.
Sriyani Kulawansa, President of the Sri Lanka Olympian Association, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative: “Sri Lanka has tremendous potential to excel in athletics. Even with basic training in the past, our athletes have demonstrated remarkable talent and determination, leading to many significant wins. With support and modern training techniques, we can surely produce more medal winners. As a former Olympian, I am happy to support the Academy and its mission of nurturing future champions. I commend MAS Holdings for fueling the Olympic dream and keeping the nation’s hopes alive in the sporting arena.”
The MAS Athlete Training Academy stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity for young athletes across Sri Lanka. By providing unparalleled support and resources, this initiative aims to transform raw talent into world-class competitors, paving the way for a new era of Sri Lankan success on the global athletic stage.
