Mahaweli games to light up Giradurukotte
Bernard PERERA
The 24th edition of the Mahaweli Games 2010 will come to and with the
athletic meet scheduled for September 11-12 at Giradurukotte Mahaweli
Stadium, said the Mahaweli and Water Management Minister Siripala de
Silva at a press briefing held yesterday at the centre.
He said Mahaweli Games have been a tremendous success in the past as
it has helped to produce sportsmen and women to reach national level and
also got the opportunity to represent the country at international
meets.
The Mahaweli Games introduced by late Gamini Dissanayake has
continued for 24 years. His vision is to give the rural folk who were
unable to face the challenges to came to national level. But with the
introduction of the games it helps them to gain the maximum and also
produced 65 sportsmen and women to reach the top in the sporting arena.
Now it has become a must to continue this games without looking at
colour of the person who initiated it, said the Minister.
Adding further he said that sports of this nature gives an
opportunity to produce good citizens. The sportsmen and women will learn
to take victory and defeat on a strong footing. This is a vital factor
which for the younger generation for them to go towards a disciplined
and a healthy society.
The sports stars that shine during this game will also be well looked
after by the Mahaweli Development Authority by way of granting jobs and
giving them scholarships to enhance their education and sporting
activities, said the Minister.
Mahaweli Authority's Human Resources and Development Director K
Ariyatunga told the media that already all sporting events for teams
have been completed and from the team event it is only Netball and
Volleyball finals are scheduled to conducted during games.
For team games nearly 2000 competitors were seen in action and for
the final stage of the games over 350 competitors are expected. The
rural folk coming from farmer families will enjoy two days of sporting
activity during this games which will also be give an opportunity
exchange views and ideas while engaging in sports, as they came various
parts of the Mahaweli Zone.
The Community in the Giradurukotte will have the chance of
introducing produce to the visitors who are expected to visit the area
during this period which will held them have an extra income.
Walawa Zone has taken the lead from the team events collecting a
total of 61 points while they are followed by Mahaweli 'H' Zone who has
a tally of 40 points. Walawa Zone has dominated the Mahaweli games
winning nine out of 23 games are heading for their game victory.
Meanwhile 'H' and 'C' Zones have won the championship on five occasions
each.
According to the organizers many development have been done to the
Giradurukotte stadium and also to the area at large.
With the Authority using a minimal scum for these development as many
sponsors have given a helping hand as it is a worthy cause.
The officials and all other invitees are to be among the participants
sharing their camps and food together as all will be treated equally.
This is a new concept forwarded by the organizers for the first time. |
