National Sports Festival starts today

Yasaratne GAMAGE

The 37th National Sports Festival starts today at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Sports Complex in Homagama Diyagama under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The first event to be worked out is the men’s 10000 metres final which starts at 7.00am, followed by the women’s 5000 metres, women’s triple jump, men’s javelin throw, men’s high jump and women’s discus throw.

The meet which started with 21 sports will have an attendance of 7500 sportsmen and women who advanced from divisional secretarial level, district level and then the provincial level. Former athlete Mahesh Perera will light the Olympic torch to ceremonially start the event and after that, school drill displays, cultural dancing and four finals will take place. After the arrival of the chief guest there will be four finals taking place, men’s’ and women’s 800 metres and 4 x 400m relay finals.