Racial amity through sports

“To bring about racial amity and understanding through sports among children of the three main communities Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims was the aim of conducting the Inter-Cultural Sports Festival,” said the Chief Co-ordinator of the event Anke Droese, a graduate of the Sports University of Cologne, Germany.

Over 90 children from Nilaveli, Matara and Nattandiya took part in swimming, cricket, volleyball, football and games of skill during the festival which was held at the Sports School, Nattandiya on October 13 and 14, 2007.

“The children from the two outstation towns were also provided accommodation and meals at the Sports School which went a long way in fostering friendship and understanding between them,” said Droese.

“By interacting with each other the children will learn to live in harmony with other communities which would contribute to bring about peace in the country,” said Droese, an outstanding sportswoman who excelled in athletics, swimming, basketball gymnastics and surfing during her university career and hopes to organise more sports events for children during her four month stay in Sri Lanka.