Mahaweli Games begins at Embilipitiya today

MAHAWELI GAMES: The inauguration ceremony of the 21st Mahaweli Sports Festival will be held at the Mahaweli Stadium, Embilipitiya today (August 31) at 9.00 a.m.

This is the 21st consecutive year where the Ministry is organising the festival for the benefit of the children of the farmer-families in Mahaweli Zones to display their sporting skills, Agricultural Development and Agrarian Services Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

Nearly 2,500 children of farmer-families will participate in this sports festival, representing all Mahaweli Zones, the Minister said. A large number of children of farmers-families have come to national and international level in the sports sector through the Mahaweli Sports Festival.

The children who display their talents at the 21st Mahaweli Sports Festival will be provided the opportunity to display their talents at the National Sports Festival (NSF) organised by the Sports Ministry which will be held in Beliatta on September 14 and 15.

The closing ceremony of the NSF will be held under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, he said.

The Minister said a request will also be made from the Sports Ministry to include the children who display their talents at the Mahaweli Sports Festival into the national sports pool. This is because these children display their talents amidst various difficulties and shortcomings.

This year, changes have been made on the number of prizes and trophies presented to the winners. The closing ceremony and the presentation of certificates and prizes of the Mahaweli Sports Festival will be held on September 1 at 2.00 p.m.

No Government funds are utilized for the Mahaweli Sports Festival. It solely relies on private sector sponsorship, the Minister said.