International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) Coaches Certificate System (CECS) Level 1 conducted by the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL) was held at Gampaha Sri Bodhi sports complex from 6th to 17th March with the participation of 24 athletic coaches.

The full residential course which spanned over two weeks was conducted by Mr. Ria Lumintuarso – Director, Asian Athletic Regional Development Center in Jakarta who was assisted by Mr. Prassana Perera – Athletic coach at the Ministry of Sport and Mr. Jayalal Rathnasooriya with the IAAF providing the necessary course syllabus and material with the Ministry of Sports sponsoring the program. The participants were trained in both theoretical and practical sessions and were trained on the latest techniques used in unearthing and harnessing young talent.

A theory and a practical test was held at the conclusion of the course and all the participants passed through the test while 11 coaches qualified to be eligible to follow the level 2 course.  The veteran sprint queen Ms. Damayanthi Darsha who took part in the training emerged as the batch top receiving highest marks in both theory and practical examinations.

It is the second coach training program that was conducted by the AASL under the Presidency of Sugath Thilakarathne, having already conducted a similar program which was held in 2016 at Torrington, Colombo.  AASL has announced a similar program that will be conducted in Matara from the 30th of April.