Tangalle Blind School - overall champions

by Wehelle PIYATHILAKE, Maharagama Special Correspondent

For the first time in the sports history of Sri Lanka a special sports meet for Disabled Youth under 29 years of age 'Sihinaya' the Sri Lanka Youth Sports Festival for differently Abled Youth 2012 was held recently at Sri Lanka National Youth Service grounds, Maharagama.

The Overall champion team

Over 20 Womens captain receiving trophy from Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma

The Captains of Tangalle Blind School receiving trophy from Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma

The festival was organized jointly by the National Youth Services Council, Sri Lanka Federation of Youth Clubs and the Youth Affairs and Skills Development Ministry.

The inaugural ceremony was held on March 20 at the Sri Lanka National Youth Service grounds, Maharagama under the patronage of the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Duminda Dissanayake.

Representing 17 districts more than 450 sportsmen and sportswomen took parts in 36 different events included in the programme.

The overall championship at the festival was secured by the Tangalle Blind School Youth Clubs and first runners-up was carried by Subaggya Youth Clubs, Maharagama.

The tournament was conducted as two sectors namely under twenty and over twenty.

Completely visual impaired, partly visually impaired, mentally retarded, wheelchairs, high jump, long jump, relays, throw ball and putt shot events were included in the programme.

The organizers appointed Judges specially trained in signaling language.

The Results

Total vision impaired Women Under 20 Best Athlete Shamalika Lakmali (Puttalam Mahawewa Siviraj Youth Club).

Over 20 - J. Jamina (Vavuniya Warod Youth Club) Under 20 best athlete Kasun Chathuranga, Tangalle Blind School Youth Club) Over 20 S. Selvanayagam (Tangalle Blind School Youth Club).

Partly Vision impaired Under 20 Best Athlete (Women) Kanchana Sewwandhi (Moneragala Subaggya Youth Club).

Over 20 Maheshika Udaya Kumari (Gampaha Katana Youth Club)

Under 20 Best Athlete (Men) C.J. Bandara (Moneragala Subaggya Youth Club) Under 20 Mentally retarded (Men) D.M.U. Perera, Kundasale Nirmala Youth Club).

Over 20 (Women) S.M. Edirisinghe (Tangalle Blind School).

Over 20 (Men) D.V.N. Sanjeewa (Bandarawela Nirmanee Youth Club).

Overall championship Under 20 (Tangalle Blind School Youth Club).

Overall 1st runner-up (under 20 (Moneragala Subaggya Youth Club)

Over 20 overall championship Tangalle Blind School Youth Club) 1st runners-up (Moneragala Subaggya Youth Club).

Half vision impaired the best athlete over 20

Anila Romtas (Puttalam Mahawewa Siviraj Youth Club).

Under 20 Best Athlete hearing impaired (female) Vinodya Sathsarani (Ratmalana Blind School Youth Club).

Under 20 best Athlete, hearing impaired C.T. Attanayake, (Ratmalana Blind School).

Over 20 hearing impaired Best Athlete (female) E. Danuski Navajana (Beliatta Muthu Youth Club).

Hearing Impaired Over 20 Best Athlete - M.G.P. Rusiru (Beliatta Muthu Youth Club).

Wheelchairs Over 20 Best Athlete (female) H. Ruwangani (Gampaha Katana Diriya Youth Club).

Over 20 male - V. Jayakanthan (Vavuniya Warada Youth Club).

Mentally retarded Best Athlete (female) H.D.U. Fernando (Mahara Youth Club).