Eight pools out of 19 sports disciplines selected for the forthcoming South Asian Games failed to turn up for fitness tests, said the head of the Sports Medical Unit, Dr Geethanjana Mendis at the Medical Seminar held at the Sports Ministry Medical Unit Auditorium on Monday.

"We duly informed all sports bodies about the fitness tests. But only eleven forwarded their teams. We hope others will do so soon. Archery, athletics, football, rowing, swimming, weight lifting, wrestling and wushu pools are absent for these important fitness tests. We are very disappointed as athletic pool, on which the country pins much hope for medals, has failed to turn up," Dr. Mendis said.

"We planned to conduct fitness tests and medical seminar series once in three months. But as much time is not left for the event (SA Games), we have already conducted three medical seminars for coaches and officials. This is the fourth one in the series", he further said. The seminar was on ‘speed training’ and before that seminars had been conducted on ‘endurance and strength’.

Besides Dr. Mendis, doctors Shiromi Pilapitiya, Daminda Attanayake, Bilesha Jayawardena and Vijitha constitute the Sports Medical Unit. Dr. Narendra Pinto, Dr. Priyangani de Soyza, Dr. Kusum Wijethunga, Director of the Physical education of University of Colombo D.M Ranasinghe and two lecturers: Sajith Jayalal and Vidath Akalanka conducted the seminars.

Dr. Mendis also revealed that the doping tests will be conducted from January.