COLOMBO, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) — Sri Lanka’s Wushu players are vying for the chance to represent their country at the national games that kicked off here on Wednesday, an official said here, saying it was a positive step to enhance relations with China.

Wushu Federation of Sri Lanka organized the 14th edition of the national tournament that will pick the best from Sri Lanka’s Wushu players to be trained for international tournaments in the next two years.

Wushu is a significant success story in people-to-people engagement between China and Sri Lanka, said Wushu Federation head Manel Dharmakeerthie, recalling the assistance provided by previous Chinese ambassadors and staff.

Sri Lanka’s Wushu Federation also has regular exchanges with professional instructors from Beijing Sport University and Shanghai University of Sport.

“Support for cultural exchange through sport is very important, many Sri Lankans play Wushu so that means more people understand the Chinese population,” he said.

A pool of 30 players will be chosen through the tournament with the main aim of training the most promising to win a medal at the Asian Games in 2018, said Dharmakeerthie.

A winner from the nationals will also be sent to represent Sri Lanka at the World Wushu Championship in Indonesia next year.