Mahaweli Games begin

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The much awaited event for the rural athletes, Mahaweli Games 2011 will be held today and tomorrow at Mahaweli Ground, Welioya. The annual event is organized by the Mahaweli Authority for the 25th occasion.

This year's event will see 1500 athletes from 10 Mahaweli zones participating while Rambakenoya compete this year as the freshers.

Last year, the Walawa Zone won the championship but this year H Zone is leading having won most of the events worked off so far.

The 160 kilometer long men's cycle race will start from Mahaweli ground, Welioya and will proceed to Medawachchiya where the cyclists turn back to finish the race at Welioya.

The women's cycle race is of 32 kilometers and starts in front of Padavi Parakkramapura MV and finish at Mahaweli ground.

Some of the final events in the sports festival were worked off in zonal playgrounds during the past few months.

Moragahakanda won the cricket while B Zone won women's cricket and the marathon.

So far, the H Zone won a number of finals including the men's elle competition, men's 10000 metres, men's and women's kabadi and the men's marathon event. Walawa zone won women's Elle. The new comers Rambakenoya zone won the women's 5000 metres.

H and Victoria Zones are in the finals in the men's and women's volleyball and the netball final will be between H and Medirigiriya.

On a concept by former Minister, late Gamini Dissanayake, the event first started in 1986 at Galnewa and has been the perfect stage for many athletes and other sports personnel to come into both national and international recognition.