The MAS Athlete Training Academy (MATA) has taken a significant step in bolstering the holistic development of athletes by formalizing a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SLIIT. This strategic collaboration designates SLIIT as MATA’s Higher Education Partner, reinforcing the belief that education and elite sports must advance together.
The MoU was signed on December 30, 2025, at Innovation by Twinery, uniting leaders from the private sector and higher education to address a critical gap in Sri Lankan sports. The agreement was officially signed by Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean, Co-Founder and Chairman of MAS Holdings, representing the MAS Athlete Training Academy, and Professor Lalith Gamage, Vice-Chancellor of SLIIT. Attendees included Professor Nimal Rajapaksha, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of SLIIT, along with Ruwan Keragala and Isuru Gunaratne, Directors of MAS Athlete Training Academy (Guaranteed) Private Limited.
A Long-Term Investment in Athlete Futures
Under this partnership, SLIIT will provide five full bachelor’s degree scholarships annually for the next eight years to eligible MAS Athlete Training Academy athletes. This initiative ensures that young athletes can pursue higher education while continuing their elite training and competitive endeavors.
The partnership has already transitioned from commitment to action, with one Academy athlete enrolled in SLIIT’s 2025 intake and additional athletes identified for enrollment in 2026 and beyond. This initiative directly addresses the challenge faced by high-performance athletes in Sri Lanka—the difficult choice between education and sport—by creating a pathway that allows them to excel in both.
Speaking on the partnership, Deshamanya Mahesh Amalean emphasized the importance of education in shaping future champions: “At MAS, we have always believed that the true strength of our nation lies in the potential of its youth. Our partnership with SLIIT reflects a shared commitment to creating an environment where young athletes in Sri Lanka are given equal opportunity, structured support, and a clear pathway to pursue sporting excellence.
Sport, by its very nature, demands peak performance within a limited window of time. As athletes progress through their careers, it is essential that education stands alongside sport not as an alternative, but as a foundation that sustains them beyond their competitive years.
By integrating education with athletic development, we are helping shape balanced individuals and athletes who compete with excellence, think with clarity, and transition with confidence into the next phase of their lives. We are proud to partner with SLIIT in this endeavor and remain committed to building a platform that enables our young sportsmen and women to succeed both on the world stage and beyond it.”
Echoing this sentiment, Professor Lalith Gamage, Vice-Chancellor of SLIIT, stated: “As the Vice-Chancellor of SLIIT, I firmly believe that the partnership between SLIIT and MAS to support young athletes in Sri Lanka is of great importance. Nurturing budding sporting talent is essential for fostering discipline, resilience, and national pride among our youth.
Our ambition is to foster international standard medalists, championing at Olympics and other major tournaments, bringing glory to Sri Lanka on the world stage.
This initiative reflects our dedication to holistic growth, empowering the next generation to achieve their full potential and contribute positively to our nation’s future.”
Supporting Athletes Beyond the Field
Since its launch in 2024, the MAS Athlete Training Academy has emerged as Sri Lanka’s first and largest public-private partnership dedicated to developing future Olympians. Beyond high-performance training, the Academy offers a comprehensive support ecosystem, including structured coaching and competition pathways, nutritional support, sports science services, mental performance and wellbeing support, health insurance coverage, and now, through this partnership with SLIIT, robust academic and career progression opportunities.
This integrated model ensures that no athlete is left behind academically while pursuing sporting excellence—a critical element of long-term athlete welfare and sustainability.
Looking Ahead: Building Champions for 2028 and Beyond
As the MAS Athlete Training Academy continues its mission to prepare a medal-winning Sri Lankan contingent for the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games, the collaboration with SLIIT represents a vital investment in developing athletes who are not only champions in sport but leaders beyond it.
This partnership stands as a testament to what is possible when the private sector, educational institutions, and sports come together with a shared purpose: to shape resilient, educated, and inspired athletes for Sri Lanka’s future.
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