SL sports ministry hunts in former LTTE zone

Sri Lanka's Sports Ministry has launched a programme to identify sporting talent in the former LTTE stronghold of Mullaithivu in the Northern Province.

Over 1000 persons participated at the sports talent identification camp at Mullaithivu with Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage gracing the occasion.

"There are many talented sports persons in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. However, due to the war, these talents could not be discovered and these talented youth could not participate in the national squads," Aluthgamage said.

"We will develop sports in these Provinces as well as select more sports persons to the national squads from now on," the sports minister said.

Mullaithivu was the rebel LTTE's military capital throughout their decades long conflict aimed at setting up a separate homeland for the minority Tamils.

The Tamil representation in Sri Lanka's national teams is rare. Cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan was the most high profile Tamil to figure in national team.