Bid to develop basketball in Kandy District
Kandy Sports corr.
The Bogambara Stadium in Kandy was developed at a cost of Rs. 89
million in just three months in 1997. The government gave only Rs. 14
million and the rest of the funds required was found through various
sources by the Kandy District Sports Development Foundation said the
former Deputy Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Kandy District
Development Foundation General Anurudda Ratwatte.
He made these observations when he addressed the gathering at the
awards ceremony at the conclusion of the men's and women's and schools
and clubs basketball championship organised by the Foundation in
conjunction with the Kandy YMCA and the Kandy District Basketball
Association and held at Trinity College courts in Kandy.
General Anuruddha Ratwatte said that the Bogambara Stadium was
developed for the benefit of sportsmen and sportswomen and to develop
sports in the Kandy District. But the Bogambara Stadium has not seen
much progress after it was develop by the Foundation.
In fac it is being not run the way it should be.
The Foundation has decided to take over the Bogambara Stadium
sometime next year to achieve the objectives for it was developed.
General Anuruddha Ratwatte said that when the YMCA approached them
for funds to conduct the Kandy District Basketball Championship, the
Kandy District Sports Development Foundation readiliy agreed to assist
them and gave them the sponsorship. But they must also explore sources
to generate their own funds.
General Anuruddha Ratwatte said that Kandy District Sports
Development Foundation was formed in the nineties as a Non Governmental
Organisation under the Ministry of Sports and he is happy of all the
Foundations which was formed at that time, Kandy District is most
active. President of the Kandy YMCA Paster Donald Fernando said that the
game of basketball was first played in America in 1891 and it was
brought to Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) by the Colombo YMCA.
This game was introduced to Kandy by Kandy YMCA a long time ago.
Since then this sport has enjoyed immense popularity in the hill capital
with schools and clubs playing it. It is a sport which could played by
both men and women. It is one of the fastest sports where a not only
one's agility but also quick thinking plays a major role.
Pastor Donald Fernando thanked General Anuruddha Ratwatte and Kandy
District Sports Development Foundation for coming forward to sponsor
this championship which had seen over 100 matches being played on two
days providing the spectators with thrills and spills.
The President of the Kandy District Basketball Association M.
Jayawardena proposed the vote of thanks. |