The Sri Lanka Athletic Association is to obtain the services of reputed race walking coach Khoo Chong Beng of Malaysia for a 10-day workshop to promote race walking in the country and enthusiasts believe that the participation of school coaches who are responsible for the upbringing of young athletes is essential to reap the full benefits of the workshop.

The Athletic Association is bringing down Khoo Chong Beng, who is considered the top qualified Asian in the race walking event for a workshop from September 16-25 in Colombo. The AA decided to obtain the services of Beng to educate race walking coaches, technical officials and athletes after the media highlighted the need to do so, following alleged mishaps at the Race Walking event at the National Sports Festival in Dehiattakandiya, last month.

Race Walking enthusiasts said that the participation of school coaches is essential if the country is to benefit from the workshop. "The Education Ministry should take an interest and get as many school coaches as possible to take part in the workshop. The school coaches are the ones who will persuade young children to take to this sport and the Education Ministry should persuade coaches to attend the seminars," a race walking enthusiast said.

G. L. S. Perera, the media manager of the SLAA said that the AA has allocated two slots each for its affiliates and is expecting a good turn out for the workshop.

The workshop is open to all athletes, coaches and technical officials (who have passed the Technical Officer exam) and applications should be sent to the Athletic Association head office, No 33, Torrington Mawatha, Colombo 7, before August 31.