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France’s new direction in Africa: what has changed and what can we expect?

It has been a little over two months since Kenya hosted France’s Africa Forward Summit 2026 in Nairobi. Co-hosted by the presidents of each country, it marked the official start of France’s pivot in Africa.

This move brings France away from the francophone regions it has been associated with for so long, towards the anglophone region of East Africa. Whilst some protested the event, citing neocolonialism, the new direction France has taken in Africa was welcomed warmly by many, seeing in itpotential trading opportunities with a European powerhouse.

France came to the summit seeking around 250 deals and agreements with East African trade partners. President Macron himself committed one billion euros of investment during his keynote address at the summit. These impressive figures heralded a landmark moment in European – African relations in two key ways.

First, since 1973, the Africa Forward Summit has been held solely in francophone nations, previously colonised by France. The Africa that France finds itself dealing with now is a different place from when it began its long exit from the continent, culminating, finally, in its departure from Mali.

The fact that France is transitioning to different potential trading nations in Africa may be seen to underline the shift in relations over the last decade between some West African countries and France, which have deteriorated. This has driven the summit towards nations positively disposed to France, in this case Kenya, which stands to benefit a great deal from a reimagined partnership with a European financial giant.

There is a possibility that those junta-led West African nations which booted France out might even feel a twinge of regret. Security across Mali in particular has drastically worsened since Operation Barkhane finished. Even the capital Bamako is looking out anxiously as the various insurgent and terrorist groups rapidly gain ground and move nearer. A combination of collapsing security, together with a reduction in trade with France and the EU, is resulting in a deteriorating quality oflife for the people of Mali.

One critical difference in engaging with Africa which France will experience as it begins its recalibration with the continent will be in the matter of the terms on which African nations now trade. For example, over the last few years, increasing impetus has been placed on the sovereignty of African nations over the extraction and processing systems of their resources.

Essentially, this means African countries are taking more of a driving role in deal-making and developing terms that finallybenefiting from their own resources in a more equitable way. Something which is well overdue. If France can use its fresh start to adapt to this new reality and enter the market on the most up-to-date trading terms, it will find itself a popular trading partner.

The second update to a Franco-African reset is the fact that France chose to reimagine the summit, rather than abandon it, and chose to host it in an anglophone, East African nation, which suggests they are not giving up on Africa. It suggests that whilst it has needed to reposition itself geographically on the continent, France does not want to relinquish the strategic and commercial opportunities Africa offers. This reflects a high level of willingness to invest in the region, something East African nations should stand to benefit from.

Although there were dissenting voices about having a new Western power on the scene in East Africa, many others saw the choice of Kenya as the partner nation as a huge vote of investor confidence. In 2025, Kenya’s GDP showed an encouraging 4.6% growth rate, according to Kenya’s Business Daily. An impressive metric given some of Kenya’s and the region’s wider problems with governance and security. This performance is unlikely to have been missed by France andcould have been an important factor when France was casting around for host nations.

France’s dramatic pivot in Africa is still unproven, and Macron will find the road he is travelling bumpy. Not everyone will welcome the move. But the economic resources France could bring to bear are considerable. The French president’s huge investment promises during the summit demonstrate that this move is not a superficial power play, but a strategic push to become a core partner to East Africa.

Minns is Executive Director of Panel 54, a Pan Africa podcast

Comedy play ‘Romba Thanks’ today at Elphinstone Theatre

Comedy play ‘Romba Thanks’ directed by Sajeewa Malmalaarachchige and directed by Susantha Abeyrathne, will be held today (18 Frida) at Maradana Elphinstone Theatre at 3,00 p.m. and 6.00 p.m.

Sajeewa Malmalaarachchige himself plays as the main character Pille whilst Upeksha Swarnamali plays as Julia. Cast includes Ravindra Yasas, Dimuth Chinthaka, Jagath Muthukumara, Damayantha Perera, Channa Kularathna, Hematha Jayalath, Jayani Chamini, Nuwan Kalum and Chandana Senadhira.

Choreography is by Nalin Maligespe and music director is Pradeep Jayathilaka.

The play is presented by Suravi Enterprises Ltd.

Tinubu: Nigeria must turn global cultural boom into jobs, economic value

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria must convert the growing global popularity of its music, films, fashion and culture into lasting economic value, increased local production and jobs for young Nigerians.

The President, who described the country’s growing cultural influence as a ‘remarkable cultural moment’, said he wants more of the wealth generated by Nigerian talent to remain in the country rather than being captured elsewhere.

Tinubu stated this in a post on his verified X handle, @officialABAT, on Friday evening after meeting French businessman Vincent Bolloré and executives of the Bolloré Group in Paris for talks on expanding investments in Nigeria.

The discussions focused on investments across film, entertainment, fibre-optic infrastructure and the digital economy, with the President pushing for greater localisation of businesses operating in Nigeria.

‘Nigeria is having a remarkable cultural moment in the world. Our music fills stadiums across continents. Our films and stories are reaching new audiences. Nigerian creativity, fashion and culture are commanding global attention.

‘We must turn this moment into lasting economic value for our people’, Tinubu said.

The President said his meeting with Bolloré and his executives involved extensive discussions on increasing their investments in Nigeria, particularly in sectors capable of harnessing the country’s rapidly expanding creative economy.

He said businesses associated with the group, including Canal+, MultiChoice and Universal Music, were interested in expanding their Nigerian operations.

‘Through Canal+, MultiChoice, Universal Music and other businesses, they are looking to do more in Nigeria. They see our country as the arrowhead of Africa’s cultural awakening, powered by Nollywood, Afrobeats and the growing global appetite for Nigerian culture’, he said.

Tinubu, however, stressed that the international success of Nigerian talent must increasingly translate into economic benefits within the country through local production, infrastructure development and employment.

‘I want more of the value created by Nigerian talent to remain in Nigeria. More production at home. Greater investment in our local industries and infrastructure. More opportunities and jobs for our young people’, the President said.

He disclosed that he had consistently pressed investors on the need for greater localisation, including in his engagements concerning MultiChoice.

‘I have made this case consistently, including on greater localisation by MultiChoice’, Tinubu said.

The President linked the investment discussions to his administration’s economic reforms, saying they were intended to create an environment capable of attracting capital and stimulating growth.

He added, however, that attracting investments was not sufficient unless they produced tangible benefits for Nigerians.

‘Our reforms are creating the conditions for investment and growth. My responsibility is to ensure that these investments translate into real opportunities for Nigerians.

‘This is the purpose of the Renewed Hope Agenda’, Tinubu said.

The President’s post followed an earlier State House statement on the Paris meeting, which said Bolloré and his executives had outlined plans to deepen the localisation of their operations in Nigeria across film, entertainment, fibre-optic infrastructure and related sectors.

The meeting took place during Tinubu’s working vacation in France and forms part of his administration’s efforts to attract investment into Nigeria’s creative and digital sectors while retaining a greater share of the economic value generated by Nigerian talent at home.

184.5kg cocaine: Court upholds detention of KC Luxury

Justice Akintayo Aluko sitting at the Federal High Court, in Ikoyi, Lagos, has dismissed an application by Afolabi Michael Kazeem, also known as KC Luxury, seeking to overturn an order extending his detention for 30 days over alleged involvement in the trafficking of 184.5 Kilogrammes of cocaine.

In dismissing the application, Justice Aluko held that the detention extension order granted on August 20, this year, was properly issued and backed by the Constitution and relevant drug-control laws.

The ruling followed an earlier fundamental rights suit filed by Kazeem before Justice Friday Ogazi, who ordered the NDLEA to produce him in court within 14 days and directed the agency to respond to his challenge against his continued detention. Kazeem had alleged that his detention was unlawful and violated his constitutional rights, and sought his release or bail.

Kazeem through his lawyer, Abdulakeem Labi-lawal (SAN) had asked the court to set aside or strike out the order, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to extend his detention.

The lawyer had contended that only a Magistrate Court could issue a remand order under Sections 293 to 299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, describing the detention extension as an unlawful interference with the suspect’s constitutional right to personal liberty.

However, NDLEA through its lawyer, Abu Ibrahim, dismissed the argument as a misconception of the nature of the order granted by the court.

Abu maintained that the August 20 order was not a remand order under the ACJA but an extension of detention granted to enable the relevant agency conduct detailed investigations into the alleged drug trafficking offence.

According to the ruling, Kazeem was arrested on August 13, this year, at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, while allegedly attempting to travel to Paris, France.

NDLEA had told the court that the suspect’s arrest was sequel to the seizure of 184.5kg of cocaine at DHL, Ikeja, Lagos, with the agency alleging that the suspect, KC Luxury was connected to the shipment.

Delivering judgment in the application yesterday, Justice Aluko held that Sections 293 to 299 of the ACJA, which deal with remand proceedings, were not applicable to the case before the court.

The judge also held that it has ‘exclusive’ jurisdiction over drug-related matters by virtue of Section 251(1)(m) of the Constitution and Section 26(1) of the NDLEA Act.

The judge further held that the evidence presented by the NDLEA established reasonable suspicion of a drug-related offence, justifying temporary deprivation of liberty under Section 35 of the constitution.

Justice Aluko consequently dismissed KC Luxury’s application for being an abuse of court process and lack in merit.

The ruling, therefore, leaves the 30-day detention extension granted on August 20, this year, in force.

NDLEA has filed a 22-count charge of drug related offences against the suspect, Afolabi Michael Kazeem a.k.a. KC Luxury, though no date has been fixed for his arraignment.

Royal Star seeks collaboration with Olamide

Rising singer Daniel Oluwa melody (aka Royal Star) has expressed his desire to get a feature with rapper and YBNL boss, Olamide.

The Afro hip hop singe made this known in a recent chat with The Nation.

With a single in his kitty entitled, ‘Bola,’ Royal Star said it would be his biggest dream achieved should Olamide gives him an opportunity of working with him. ‘If I can get the opportunity of working with Olamide, I would be a fulfilled younger act. He’s a talented entertainer, who can rap and sing at the same time and deliver a profound project every time. I have seen him bless people’s songs many times and if he can bless me with a feature, I would be grateful, ‘ he said.

Royal Star says he’s already working on another single, entitled ‘Oh my God.’ The singer kicked off his career 7 years ago and has continued to improve on his projects.

CFA Society Sri Lanka brings academia and industry together to shape future finance and investment talent

CFA Society Sri Lanka recently hosted a high-level industry academia dialogue on ‘Developing the Next Generation of Finance and Investment Talent in Sri Lanka,’ bringing together representatives from leading employers, partner universities, CFA Institute and CFA Society Sri Lanka.

Held in conjunction with a visit by senior CFA Institute representatives to Sri Lanka, the program focused on how the country can build a stronger, future-ready and globally competitive pipeline of finance and investment professionals.

CFA Society Sri Lanka Employer Relations Committee Chair Nuwan De Silva delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the importance of closer collaboration between academia, employers and the professional community in developing future-ready talent.

The session continued with a presentation by CFA Institute Director, Society Relations – APAC Reseena Abdullah, who provided an overview of global and regional trends shaping finance and investment careers, as well as evolving employer expectations.

This was followed by an engaging panel discussion featuring CFA Institute APAC South Presidents Council Representative Simon Ng; Head, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Department of Finance Dr. Neelangie Nanayakkara and Uzabase Inc Executive Officer – Head of Global Content and Country Head Sri Lanka Thilan Sampath. The discussion was moderated by Reseena Abdullah.

Key themes discussed included the impact of AI, technology and data analytics on the finance profession, changing skill requirements, graduate readiness, professional pathways and the need for closer alignment between university education and industry expectations.

Senior representatives from CFA Society Sri Lanka’s university partners and leading employers also participated in the session, contributing perspectives from both academia and industry and reinforcing the importance of stronger and more continuous engagement between the two sectors.

The dialogue forms part of CFA Society Sri Lanka’s broader commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s finance and investment talent pipeline and supporting the development of professionals equipped to succeed in an increasingly global, competitive and technology-driven industry.

COAS pledges N25m for veterans’ emergency health fund

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has pledged N25 million to the Emergency Health Fund of the Course 39 Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) United Welfare Association (UWA), as part of efforts to strengthen support for retired military personnel.

Shaibu made the pledge yesterday when the association’s Executive Committee, led by its President, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Ibikunle Daramola (rtd.), paid a visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

He reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of serving and retired personnel, describing sustained engagement with veterans as an important pillar of institutional development. He said their operational experience and leadership expertise were valuable to the Army, strengthening institutional memory and mentorship.

‘Caring for those who have served the nation remains an enduring responsibility and an important component of personnel welfare,’ Shaibu said.

The Army Chief outlined ongoing reforms to build a more professional and technologically enabled force, including the expansion of the Army to 12 divisions and the integration of 28,000 recruits through regional training depots in Zaria, Osogbo and Amasiri Edda.

He said the Army was implementing a revised training curriculum emphasising marksmanship, fitness and fieldcraft, while transitioning toward multi-domain operations through the integration of space, cyber and non-kinetic capabilities, alongside developments in Army aviation and unmanned aerial systems.

Shaibu also highlighted the institutionalisation of the Senior Executive Transition Programme to prepare retiring senior officers and their spouses for life after service.

Daramola congratulated Shaibu on his appointment as COAS and his elevation to lieutenant general, commending his efforts to strengthen the Army’s force structure and operational capabilities.

He appreciated the support given to the association, particularly in health insurance, emergency assistance and capacity-building.

Daramola assured the COAS that Course 39 members were willing to deploy their operational, technical and leadership experience in support of the Army’s objectives and national security.

Otti speaks on how successor as Abia governor will emerge

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has said he will neither be a godfather nor impose his successor on the state after serving his second tenure in 2031.

Otti spoke on Thursday in Umuahia, while receiving a former Social Democratic Party Gubernatorial Candidate, Mrs Ngozi Johnson-Chukwunenye, and her supporters into the Labour Party (LP).

He said that leadership succession should be based on identifying the most suitable person for the job, rather than perpetuating a ‘sit-tight’ culture.

He said that the person who would succeed him would be better equipped to provide quality leadership to the people.

Otti said: ‘The most important thing you can give a people is good governance.

‘And once people test good governance, it will be very difficult for them to allow you to take them back.

‘So, if you are afraid that we will go back to Egypt, it will never happen and what I can assure you is that, by the time I’m done, the person who will succeed me will be better than me.

‘I don’t want to be a godfather and I don’t tolerate godfathers.

‘We will all sit down, look at everybody and say, who is the best person for this job and then all of us will agree and we will campaign for him.

‘He will win and we will take a back seat.’

The governor also reiterated his earlier stance not to seek another elective position after completing his second tenure.

He said his administration’s focus was to provide good governance and create an environment, where younger people could emerge as capable leaders.

‘We should stop this sit-tight. It’s only you. It can’t be only you.

‘There are smarter, more trained, better-trained, better-equipped younger people; our children. We need to give them opportunity,’ he said.

Otti said that his administration was already preparing younger people to take over leadership responsibilities through various initiatives, including the Abia Leadership Academy.

He said that over 1,080 young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, had recently graduated from the academy.

‘You will see how smart our children are. So, these are the people that will take over from us.

‘And they are being trained now for tomorrow; so we can never go back,’ he said.

The governor also said the administration’s effort to improve governance and infrastructure would continue, in spite of criticism.

He argued that development could not be achieved in one day.

He said his administration had prioritised the restoration of Aba and Umuahia before extending its interventions to other parts of the state.

‘We are now moving into the hinterlands, and we will continue until we reach everywhere; so nothing will stop us,’ he said.

He thanked Johnson-Chukwunenye for joining the party and for remembering less privileged children, including pupils from the School for the Blind.

Otti said such gestures demonstrated concern for vulnerable members of society.

In a speech, the National Vice-Chairman of the party (Southeast), Mr Ishmael Onuoha, said the party’s motto aligned with the ideals expressed in the third stanza of the national anthem.

Onuoha described the party as one committed to the masses and hope for Nigerians.

In a remark, the LP Chairman in Abia, Mr Peter Azubuike, said the growing support for the party was a by-product of Otti’s good governance and performance.

Azubuike said the party was ready for the 2027 elections, urging members to prepare for polling-unit-based campaigns and ensure effective mobilisation at the grassroots.

In a speech, Johnson-Chukwunenye said that she had closely followed the Otti administration and was convinced by its efforts to clean, light up and restore dignity to Abia.

She said she decided to support Otti’s second-term bid because she believed his administration’s policies aligned with her vision of a government that remembers the poor and promotes equity.

She called for legislation on ‘continuity and completion’ to ensure that successive administrations continued projects inherited from previous governments.

NUT kicks against ‘vacancy precondition’ for Civil Service promotion

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT wing, has kicked against the ‘vacancy precondition’ for promotion of teachers in the territory’s Civil Service, describing the newly released promotion examination timetable as a threat to the career progression of teachers.

The union said the timetable released by the FCT Civil Service Commission (CSC), which indicates ‘No Vacancy’ for education officers seeking promotion from Grade Level 14 to 15, 15 to 16 and 16 to 17, could effectively stagnate teachers at Grade Level 14.

The NUT FCT Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ibikun Adekeye, in a release on Thursday, described the development as an ‘assault’ on teachers and a sign that the welfare of the teaching workforce was not being given adequate consideration.

Adekeye said the timetable implied that teachers could be denied career progression irrespective of their years of service, qualifications and experience in the classroom.

He said, ‘What the commission has presented is not promotion but stagnation. It tells FCT teachers that no matter their years of sacrifice, qualifications and service in the classrooms, a teacher may not rise beyond Level 14.

‘What sin have teachers committed? The commission claims there is no vacancy at the top. Yet they expect our unions to keep quiet. This is false and wicked.’

Adekeye further argued that the policy was inconsistent with efforts to improve the quality of education, saying teachers who were denied career progression could become demoralised.

‘You cannot claim to prioritise education while you deliberately frustrate the people who deliver education. A demoralised, stagnated teacher cannot give his best to the Nigerian child,’ he said.

He described the development as a ‘declaration of war on the teaching profession in FCT’, calling on stakeholders and ‘all lovers of education’ to oppose what he described as the planned stagnation of teachers.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the FCT has appealed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the territory to suspend its planned protest over the lingering disagreement between the NUT and the Civil Service Commission on the vacancy precondition.

The Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, made the appeal in a letter dated September 15, 2026, addressed to the NLC and NUT, copies of which were obtained by Abuja Metro on Thursday.

Nathan urged the labour unions to suspend further action pending the return of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who is currently out of the country.

The letter followed a seven-day ultimatum issued by the FCT NLC after a meeting of its State Executive Council, led by its chairman, Comrade Stephen Knabayi.

Nathan said the minister had been briefed on the issues raised by the unions and that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service and the Education Secretariat had consequently been directed to suspend action on the matter pending his return.

The letter read in part: ‘I write to acknowledge your letter dated 8th September, 2026, on the above-mentioned subject and to inform you that the Honourable Minister, FCT, has been briefed on the issues raised by the union.

‘Consequently, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, FCT, and the Education Secretariat has been directed to stay action on the matter pending the return of the Honourable Minister, FCT.

‘You are therefore enjoined to reciprocate the magnanimity of the Honourable Minister and promote industrial harmony within the education sector.’

The FCT NLC had threatened to embark on a protest over several issues, including the use of vacancy as a precondition for promotion, the alleged exclusion of teachers who were eligible for promotion examinations in 2025, and the redeployment of directors to classrooms and their replacement with junior officers by the FCT Civil Service Commission.

Knabayi confirmed to our reporter by telephone on Thursday that the labour union had extended its ultimatum until September 31, 2026, following the letter from the Office of the FCT Head of the Civil Service.

Sri Lanka’s 156-strong Asian Games challenge: Beyond Rumesh, a wider medal hunt in Nagoya

Sri Lanka will send a 156-athlete contingent to the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with 100 men and 56 women set to compete across 25 sports. The size of the team provides Sri Lanka with an opportunity to look beyond the traditional medal-winning disciplines and discover new heroes on one of Asia’s biggest sporting stages.

Team Sri Lanka will travel to Japan with a contingent of 156 athletes, comprising 100 male and 56 female athletes, who will compete across 25 sports disciplines.

The Sri Lankan contingent will compete across Aquatics – Swimming and Diving, Archery, Artistic Gymnastics, Judo, Rowing, Rugby Sevens, Table Tennis, Squash, Weightlifting, Wrestling, Basketball 3×3, Wushu, Kabaddi, Beach Volleyball, Athletics, Boxing, Karate, Sailing, Taekwondo, Surfing, Badminton, Cricket, Golf, Modern Pentathlon and Hockey.

The Asian Games begin on 19 September and run until 4 October, bringing together the continent’s strongest sporting nations. For Sri Lanka, the challenge will be considerable, but there are several areas where the contingent can realistically aspire to make an impact.

Athletics carries the biggest individual hopes

Athletics remains central to Sri Lanka’s Asian Games ambitions. Historically, it has been the country’s most successful sport at the Games, producing 11 of Sri Lanka’s 12 Asian Games gold medals. Cricket has supplied the other gold. Sri Lanka has won 51 medals overall at the Asian Games.

The spotlight, naturally, will fall on Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

The 23-year-old javelin thrower has emerged as one of the most prominent athletes in world athletics. His recent performances include throws of 92.62 metres in Rome and 92.07m in Zurich, while he also captured the Diamond League Final with 89.04m. World Athletics lists him as Sri Lanka’s leading javelin athlete.

His Asian Games campaign, however, has been complicated by an unusual setback. Three of his key competition javelins were reportedly damaged during air transportation. Those implements were associated with his 92.62m, 92.07m and 91.09m performances.

The equipment problem will therefore be an additional challenge, but Tharanga enters Nagoya with a formidable competitive record and considerable international experience.

Cricket remains a major medal opportunity

Cricket will again be one of Sri Lanka’s major medal avenues. The sport has already produced an Asian Games gold for the country, and the return of T20 cricket gives Sri Lanka an opportunity to use its depth and experience in the shortest format.

The cricket competition also has wider significance for Japan. The country is using the Asian Games to promote the sport, with Sri Lanka among the major cricket nations participating in the tournament.

Rugby Sevens can produce a surprise

Sri Lanka’s rugby Sevens teams have traditionally possessed the speed and attacking ability to trouble stronger Asian opponents. In a short tournament, the format can produce unexpected results, particularly when a team is able to maintain discipline and fitness across successive matches.

A strong start could put Sri Lanka into contention for the latter stages, although the Asian competition remains extremely demanding.

Rowing, badminton and squash

Rowing is another discipline where Sri Lanka will look for individual performances to translate into finals and potential podium opportunities. The sport demands exceptional preparation, and even a place among the leading crews would represent an important benchmark.

In badminton, Sri Lanka’s challenge will be particularly demanding given the strength of countries such as China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, India and Chinese Taipei. Nevertheless, the exposure gained by Sri Lankan players against this level of opposition could be valuable for the next generation.

Squash is another sport capable of producing competitive performances. Sri Lanka has a history of producing technically accomplished players, and the Asian Games provide an opportunity to measure that talent against some of the world’s strongest squash nations.

Combat sports and strength disciplines

Sri Lanka’s prospects should not be confined to the headline sports.

Boxing, judo, karate, wushu, wrestling and weightlifting all provide opportunities for athletes to progress through the draw and challenge established Asian competitors.

Combat sports can be particularly unpredictable. A single outstanding performance can change an athlete’s tournament, making these disciplines important to watch even when Sri Lanka enters without the same international profile as the continent’s leading nations.

Sailing also deserves attention. Sri Lanka has previously won an Asian Games silver medal in the sport, demonstrating that the country has the ability to compete at continental level.

The bigger picture

The significance of Nagoya should therefore extend beyond the final medal tally.

Sri Lanka is taking a sizeable group of athletes across 25 disciplines, giving many competitors the opportunity to experience a level of competition that cannot be replicated domestically.

For some, the target will be a medal. For others, reaching a final, establishing a personal best or defeating a higher-ranked opponent could become the foundation for future international success.

And above them all stands Rumesh Tharanga.

If the javelin star can reproduce anything close to his extraordinary 2026 form, his performance could become one of the defining stories of Sri Lanka’s Nagoya campaign. But Sri Lanka’s Asian Games challenge should not be reduced to one athlete.

The 156-member team represents 25 different sporting journeys – and Nagoya could reveal that Sri Lanka’s next generation of Asian Games heroes extends well beyond the javelin runway.