A group of young Sri Lankan karate athletes and their parents met with Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage on Thursday, following their inability to compete at the Asian Cadet, Junior & U21 Karate Championships due to unresolved visa issues.
The disappointed athletes, some of the nation’s most promising in the sport, described the incident as a devastating setback to their careers.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” one parent told reporters outside the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. “Our children trained for years, only to be let down at the last minute.”
Minister Gamage expressed regret over the failure, describing it as “deeply unfortunate.”
He assured the group that the matter would not be dismissed, announcing a formal investigation to determine accountability.
He also pledged full ministry support to the affected athletes, stressing that safeguarding the future of Sri Lanka’s young sports talent is a top priority for the government.
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