Sri Lankan athletes will receive 100 scholarships within the next two years, says Minister of Youth & Sports Namal Rajapaksa. The government expects to enrol these athletes in foreign sports training programs, the Minister said further on Tuesday (April 20) in a response to a question raised by MP Shantha Bandara. The Sports Minister also notified that for the first time that contracting players professionally is now underway. According to the minister, 59 players from different sports will be signed in the first round and 50 more players are expected to be signed in the second round. Minister Rajapaksa added that, 20% of the money allocated to the Ministry of Sports from this year’s budget has been assigned for the betterment of athletes and coaches.

Source: The Nation April 21, 2021 05:01 UTC