Leading hurdler Supun Viraj Randeniya vented his frustration of not being selected for international events, by breaking the 110 metres hurdles record (under-23) for a second time in the meet, on the penultimate day of the Junior National Athletics Championship, on Sunday.
The former student of Ranabima Royal College, Gannoruwa, was almost a body length ahead of his closest rival Hasith Nirmal by the half way mark and stopped the clock at 14.15 seconds to erase the record he established on Saturday (14.27 secs).
Many had already expressed their disappointment at him not being selected for international events, despite being the undisputed champion.
The AASL have selected two teams for the upcoming Thailand Open and Macau Open Championships. While Randeniya has not been considered for any Hasith Nirmal has been picked for the Macau event.
On Sunday, the champion hurdler pointed a finger towards the officials of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka, just after establishing the newest Junior National record.
On lookers closer to the finish line said that he (Randeniya) shouted saying that he doesn’t want foreign tours.
Palitha Fernando, the president of the Athletics Association of Sri Lanka who was present on that occasion told The Island that the critiques have not realized that there are several overseas championships a year and the AASL have to provide an opportunity to all top athletes.
However, Randeniya, probably the best hurdler the country has seen emerging in recent times (has broken many of Olympian Mahesh Perera’s junior records) has not received adequate international exposure.
Fernando said that with the Malaysian Open and Singapore Open coming up there will be opportunities for those who have not been selected this time around.
