NYS Sports Festival from Oct 27 to 30

Wehelle PIYATHILAKE, Maharagama Special Corr

The 23rd National Youth Sports Festival 2011 organized by the National Youth Services Council and the Youth Affairs and Skills Development

Ministry will be held from October 27 to 30 at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium Diyagama, Homagama.

According to the programme there are 15 team events, Cycle race (men and women) Walking race (men and women) Marathon (men and women) and 42 track and field events are being included.

The divisional and district level competitions are being over. More than 10,000 sportsmen and sportswomen have been participated. The finals of the team games and track and field events will be held from October 27th, 28th and 29th. More than 2,000 competitors will take part in the festival. The closing and awards and gifts presentation ceremony will be held on October 30 at 4pm.

The specialty of this year's festival is that nearly 1,000 youth have participated from the North and East.

The inaugural ceremony will be held on October 27 at 3pm with the presence of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dallus Alahapperuma. Deputy Minister Duminda Disanayake, Secretary to the Ministry S S Hewapathirana and the Chairman Director General Lalith Perera.