Young athletes to be recognized

National Schools Sports Festival starts:

Chinthana Wasala

Creating a new trend to the Sri Lankan athletics, arrangements have been introduced to select the most popular athlete from votes of sports fans” said Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena at a press briefing held at the Education Ministry regarding the the All Island Schools Sports Festival. “Fans will be informed of how to vote for the athletes soon” added the Minister.

depending on an international points system, nine athletes from each province have already been chosen.

The initial stage of the schools sports extravaganza starts this weekend while the main events commence at the Sugatadasa Stadium on September 29 with 14,403 athletes vying for honours.

Athletes from 905 schools around the island including North and East will be seen in action. Marking a significant increase of the number of participation, 2751 athletes representing 140 schools from the North and East are expected to take part in this year’s festival. Apart from that, the best of boys and girls will be awarded in three events, namely Athletics, Volleyball and Football while the best girl will be awarded in the Netball events.

The best competitor in the Roving, Jumping, Running and Hurdles events will also be selected. The first part of the meet, the team events will be held from September 11 to 13 and the second will be on September 18 to 20. The Athletic events will be held from September 29 and on the last two days (October 02 and 03) the live telecast of the meet will be on Sri Lanka Rupavahini.

Prima is the main sponsor for this year’s meet while the co-sponsor is DSI and the meet is conducted by the Education ministry.

Former Sri Lanka hurdler and Olympian Sriyani Kulawansa in playing a leading role in organizing the National School Games for the Education Ministry.