Over 600 athletes for Northern Province sports festival

Irangika Range

The Northern Province Sports Festival-2009 commenced yesterday under the patronage of Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri at the Duraiappah stadium, Jaffna.

The festival will conclude on September 20. The chief guest at the closing ceremony will be Social Services and Social Welfare Minister Douglas Devananda.

Over 600 competitors representing the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim population in the sporting arena are taking part in the event.

Northern Province Governor Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said that Muslim sportsmen and sportswomen from Mannar, Sinhala sportsmen and women from Vavuniya are getting together and competing with Tamil sportsmen and women after a lapse of 15 years bringing about peace and harmony in the country.

This Sports Festival is being held after the liberation of the country from LTTE terrorists. Therefore all sports organizations and teams have got the opportunity to compete and taste victory and defeat in the same spirit.

This then is a historic opportunity for them to develop peace and harmony. It is expected that all athletes be able to reach national standard.

It is also hoped to discover an athlete who could be an Olympic star from the Northern Province. Such a person will have the blessings and assistance from the Department of Sports of the Northern Province.