Ministry of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Secretary Esala Weerakoon, Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs Minister John Amaratunga, Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara, Ministry of Sports Secretary Jayantha Wijerathne, SL Tourism Promotion Bureau Sutheash Balasubramanium – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

By Shannon Jayawardena

With the aim of promoting Sri Lanka as a ‘Sports Tourism Hub’ the Ministry of Tourism together with the Ministry of Sports will be enhancing the sports sector by bringing a series of international events to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka tourism is to take another step forward in its contribution to enhance the tourism sector by developing sports tourism to enable local and foreign sports enthusiasts to participate and experience sporting events taking place in the country. The ministries are to bring a variety of sports championships from water sports and motor sports to athletics.

Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs John Amarathunga said, “This is a new chapter we’re trying to turn in our country, for that the Ministry of Sports and Tourism are going to work hand in hand in order to promote, on one side the sports activities and on the other side which is extremely beneficial for the development of tourism.”

Tourism is the fastest growing economic sector in the country and has grown from 50,000 to 2.2 million tourists per year in 2017. While trying to develop tourism furthermore the country is to be anchored as an adventure tourism country as well. Sri Lanka is reputed for cricket but there are many other sports activities that can also bring global recognition to the country.

Minister of Sports Dayasiri Jayasekara stated, “What we’re doing is very important for the tourism sector for Sri Lanka and the foreign countries. There are many games that we’ll be having in the country but people do not know anything about the events but if we have a proper mechanism we can attract many tourists to Sri Lanka.”

The two ministries will be working to bring to the country a wide range of international sports under the categories land, water and triathlon. Marathon, cycling and hiking under land events, surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and canoeing under water events and finally para jumping, diving and the parachute festival under the triathlon.

Promoting land sports Sri Lanka’s first international Go-Kart race ‘x30 Asia Cup Sri Lanka 2018’ is to be held on 13 and 14 January next year at the Sri Lankan Karting Circuit (SLKC) Bandaragama. The event has already been approved and registered in the International Karting Calendar and will be the first ever racing event for Karting not only for Sri Lanka but South Asia as well. Approximately over 80 world renowned Go-Kart drivers and 1,500 local motor racers are to attend the event.

The Senior Golf European Tour is another key event planned for March 2018 with the aim of highlighting the golf grounds in the country including the Nuwara Eliya Golf course and the Royal Colombo Golf Club. The effort by the two ministries will enable international golfers to visit this compact island and will focus on giving the opportunity to the local players to connect with their international counterparts. It is expected to encourage high end tourists to visit Lanka.

Under water sports the International Powerboat Championship will be held in Benthota on the 11 and 12 November. This will be first time such a prestigious international level gaming event is to take place in Sri Lanka and will have a legacy of improved water sport venues. 32 riders from a number of countries will be participating in the championship which is the most acclaimed international series promoting personal watercraft in a competitive racing environment and of the fastest, most spectacular demanding and entertaining sports on water.

The World Surfing League is also to take place from June-July next year in Arugam Bay, promoting one of the ideal locations in Sri Lanka for water sports. The event is aimed to highlight Arugam Bay as one of the world’s best surfing points and is targeted to attract professional surfers globally who are among the world top 50 and top 20 best surfers.

Another sporting event which will attract thousands of local and foreign attention, ‘IRONMAN 70.3’ which is expected to attract participants from 53 countries across the world will be held on 25 February 2018. The event is the world’s number one multisport event brand with a 1.9 km sea swim, 90 km bike ride and 21.2 km run all to be completed by a triathlon within an 8.5 hour period. This will throw a spotlight on Colombo city as a key destination for triathlons and will be a new experience for most Sri Lankans.

Apart from sports, the Galle Literary Festival, one of the most anticipated literary events in South East Asia for both authors and literary enthusiasts around the world gathering under one platform is to be held next year as well.

Sports Tourism will thereby attract tourists from all over the world earning more foreign exchange for the country. It will also showcase the resources, attractions and images of the country on an international level while providing more opportunities for locals with organisation skills, talented sports personnel and security personnel.

Promoting Sri Lanka as a tourism hub will also contribute greatly towards the national economy as an optimum use of accommodation sector via guest houses and hotels and the use of other service sectors such as restaurants and transport which will lead to a sublime growth in the country’s economy.

The Tourism Fest which is scheduled to be held in December this year will too be a major attraction specially targeting the tourists who visit Sri Lanka during the festive season. Thus, with a series of exiting international sports and other events that will be brought in, Sri Lanka tourism is all set to host such events bringing a new experience to this sports loving nation as well as boosting the tourism sector at the same time.

Source : http://www.ft.lk/travel-tourism/Biggest-ever-push-for-sports-tourism/27-642859