- SLIIT joins as education partner – 5 annual scholarships for athletes, 2 recipients in 2025
- National impact – Academy athletes account for over 60% of Sri Lanka’s junior-level teams and nearly 70% of medals at major championships.
- Performance-based grading – A+ athletes to receive advanced biomechanical testing, and international exposure; all athletes now covered by a new health insurance scheme.
- Global education support – Financial aid for athletes pursuing overseas degrees while continuing to train and represent Sri Lanka.
One year after its launch, the MAS Athlete Training Academy has begun transforming Sri Lanka’s athletics landscape. The Academy celebrated this milestone at a special event held at CEWAS, Ratmalana, attended by Co-Founder and Chairman of MAS Holdings, Mahesh Amalean, President of the National Olympic Committee, Suresh Subramaniam, Academy coaches, management, the athlete cohort and their parents.
At the event, SLIIT was announced as the Academy’s Higher Education Partner, who will offer five bachelor’s degree scholarships annually to qualifying athletes. For 2025, two athletes have qualified for this opportunity, allowing them to pursue their academic ambitions alongside their training.
Impact to National Performance
In its first year, Academy athletes have shown strong representation and medal conversion at junior levels. They represented over 60% of the junior national squad at Asian and world championships, claiming almost 70% of medals. At a senior level, Academy athletes (under 19) accounted for a quarter of the national squad for Asian Athletics Championship and have contributed 33% of Sri Lanka’s medal tally at major Asian championships.
These results underline the Academy’s mission to develop a pipeline of athletes capable of competing and winning at the highest levels.
Introducing Performance-Based Athlete Grading
A new performance grading system has been introduced to ensure that the Academy’s resources are meaningfully invested in athletes with the highest potential. The grades range from A+ (elite) and A (high-performance) to B & C (development level) based on how close their performance is to the Asian Top 10 rankings. A+ athletes receive enhanced support, including advanced sports science services, biomechanical analysis, mental performance training, and international exposure.
This system ensures resources are channeled where they can deliver the greatest impact, while also motivating athletes to meet performance milestones.
Grading based benefits are in addition to the benefits received by all athletes including focused training, clothing and athletics gear, nutritional support, direct assistance to both athletes and coaches, along with access to sports science and anti-doping education.
All athletes now also benefit from a newly introduced health insurance scheme ensuring better all-round care and recovery.
Expanded Support for Global Education
Recognising that athletes need both sporting and academic opportunities, the Academy has extended its backing to those accepted into foreign universities. This financial support helps athletes continue their studies overseas while staying committed to their training and representing Sri Lanka at the highest levels.
Reflecting on the initiative, Mahesh Amalean said, “The first year of the MAS Athlete Training Academy has shown us the extraordinary potential of Sri Lankan talent. With the right support, these athletes can redefine what is possible for the next generation. Our vision is not just to create medal winners, but to nurture disciplined, resilient, and inspired individuals who will lead by example. We hope this initiative between athletes, coaches, and institutions, will outlast us all and continue to nurture champions over decades to come.”
The MAS Athlete Training Academy, Sri Lanka’s first and largest public-private partnership dedicated to the development of future Olympians, continues to work towards its ambitious goal of preparing a medal-winning Sri Lankan contingent for the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
