Sporting heroes to be honoured today

Chinthana WASALA

One of the most colourful events in the history of sports in Sri Lanka, National Sporting Honours 2008 will be held at the BMICH tonight with president Mahinda Rajapaksa gracing the occasion as the chief guest.

The Biggest sporting event organised by the Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge, is a historic occasion. This is to honour and recognize the Sporting legends in over 15 sporting categories. Not only the sporting stars who are currently on the scene, but also the veteran sporting legends will be paid tribute at tonight’s great occasion.

At least 225 people will receive National Colours at this prestigious event while special awards will be on offer to the Most Outstanding athletes for the year 2007 in five categories which will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges.

It has been a great competition for the first slot in all five categories namely Most popular sportsman - woman, junior sportsman - woman, and most popular disabled sports person.

Muttiah Muralitharan, the spin bowling wizard and Susanthika Jayasighe the Sri Lanka’s running queen have already been selected as the best Sportstar Sri Lanka have produced.

Tharindu Patthalapperuma who won the Asian gymnastics Championship in Syria recently has been nominated as the most outstanding emerging sportsman while 16 year old Jenniffer Wijesinghe the emerging tennis champion as the emerging women’s sports personality.

Organized by the Ministry of Sports the National Sporting Honours and powered by Dialog Telekom as the event’s official sponsor this prestigious event is expected to be the best ever sports awards ceremony Sri Lanka has ever witnessed.

There will also be the launch of a commemorative book titled Sri Lanka Proud – A Tribute to Champions, which will showcase the greatest Sri Lankan sporting legends of our time.