A seven-year plan is afoot to recognize the skilled contestants for the 2018 Commonwealth Games that Sri Lanka is hoping to host at Hambantota.

Minister Aluthgamage said this during a discussion the Commonwealth Games bid committee held with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Temple Trees on August 01.

During the discussion President Rajapaksa stressed that all citizens should accepts the challenges and fully utilize the freedom that has been established in the country at present, towards the development of the country.

Participating in the discussion, the Sports Minister said that many countries have expressed willingness to support Sri Lanka in its bid to hold 2018 Commonwealth Games. He expressed appreciation to the President for allocating 4.5 billion rupees to develop infrastructure facilities in sports sector.

Aluthgamage said all arrangements have been made to hold the first "South Asian Beach Sports Meet" in Hambantota on the 8th to 10th of October.
Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and chairman of Sri Lanka to Olympic Committee Hemasiri Fernando also participated in the discussions.