MAS Holdings, Sri Lanka's foremost apparel-tech conglomerate, has been granted Cabinet approval to launch the MAS Athlete Training Academy, marking the country's inaugural and largest Public-Private Partnership (PPP) focused on nurturing future Olympians.
Scheduled for its official launch on July 8, the academy will commence with an investment exceeding Rs. 550 million over an eight-year period. Its primary objective is to cultivate and empower young athletes for participation in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, offering a comprehensive development program. This includes specialized training, access to top-tier athletic equipment, international exposure, nutritional and educational assistance, as well as direct financial support and equipment provision for athletes and their coaches.
The MAS Athlete Training Academy is a joint initiative that includes the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports, National Olympic Committee, Sri Lanka Athletics Association, and the Sri Lanka Olympian Association. The academy will organize specialized testing and selection camps to discover and develop talented athletes from schools nationwide.
“Given Sri Lanka's Olympic success in athletics and the immense potential of athletes from rural backgrounds, we felt it was time to make a significant investment to harness their potential and prepare them for global success”, said MAS Holdings Co-Founder & Chairman Mahesh Amalean.
fter a thorough assessment during the all-island school games in May 2024, the inaugural group of 56 athletes has been chosen from nine provinces. This cohort includes 24 girls and 32 boys, participating in a range of track and field disciplines such as short, mid, and long-distance races. Their progress and training data will be tracked through an advanced digital application.
“Our goal is to provide a holistic development environment for these young athletes. By integrating high-quality training, international exposure, educational and nutritional support, we are trying to take the talents from the grassroots to the global stage, establishing a new era of athletic excellence in Sri Lanka”, said Isuru Gunaratne, General Manager – Strategic Planning, MAS Holdings.
