National Youth Sports Festival 2009:

Ratnapura district overall champions

Chinthana Wasala reporting from Badulla

Ratnapura District emerged overall champions with 96 points at the 21st National Youth Sports Festival which saw all Districts in Sri Lanka taking part for the first time ever and marked its conclusion at the Vincent Dias Stadium in Badulla yesterday. Puttlam District with 63 points was placed second while Kurunegala District secured the third slot with 60 points in the overall championship.

Ratnapura District also won the under 20 athletics championship followed by Anuradhapura and Kegalle Districts in the second and third slots respectively.

Polonnaruwa District won the over-20 athletics championship while Badulla and Hambantota Districts remained in the second and third positions respectively. Ishara Sandeepani of Ratnapura District was adjudged as the U-20 best athlete - girls (200m 25.4secs) while W.D.M.M. Sampath of Kurunegala District was adjudged the best boys athlete (Long Jump - 6.92m)

In the over 20 age group, Lakshila Maduwanthi of Ratnapura District won the best Women athlete’s award (100m in 12.5 secs.) when Nishan Kumara of Colombo District won the award in the men’s category (Triple Jump 15.32m).

In fact, this year’s meet was probably the best which saw most of the records tumbling and there were 11 overall records lowered while each record holder was awarded with a cash award of Rs.10000 each.

The significant fact was that five of the 11 overall record holders were under the age of 20 and all represented the Ratnapura District and all of them were under the guidance of their coach B.R. Palitha.

The number of meet records broken was higher than in any previous meet held and 17 records fell the under 20 age group.

The ceremonial closing consisted of a colourful march past which featured athletes from all Districts, each platoon followed by Eastern and Western bands from their respective provinces, led by the Sri Lanka Navy Band.

The closing ceremony also saw magnificent fireworks display followed by a musical extravaganza which featured Sri Lanka’s popular artistes on stage.

Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickramanayake graced the occasion as the chief guest while Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition and President World Health Organization Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Youth Affairs Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Ports Development and President of the Volleyball Federation and Vice President of National Olympic Committee Dilan Perera, Minister of Sports and Public Recreations Gamini Lokuge, chairman National Youth Services Council Bhashwara Senanka Gunarathne and Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs S. Virithamulla, Deputy Minister of Education M. Satchitthanandan were also present.