Ajith Bandara wins NSF marathon for the 12th time

YASARATNE GAMAGE - Reporting from Anuradhapura

R G Sameera Chaturanga of Uva Province emerged men’s cycling champion when he finished the km141.3 race in 3h:34m.37s in the 38th National Sports Festival cycling race concluded in Anuradhapura on Saturday.

The men’s and women’s cycling, race walking and marathon events of the 38th National Sports Festival were worked off successfully in Anuradhapura on June 16 and 17 with the participation of a large number of competitors from all provinces.

E A Niluka Shayamali of Western province won the women’s cycling championship by finishing a distance of Km 75.4 in 2h:30m.24s on the same day. Western Provinceerned more credits when S K A C Fernando and Geetha Nandani finished first in the men’s and women’s race walking respectively.

Geetha Nandani was the favorite in the event where she emerged the race waling women’s champion from 2004 to 2008 and also last year.

The men’s and women’s cycling events consisted of two rounds starting in front of Victory Hospital. Cyclists had different routes in both rounds. W I M Sandakelum and R G Sameera Chaturanga won sprint one and two in the men’s cycle race.

It was the 12th championship for A M Ajith Bandara of Wayamba Province when he finished first cloking 2h: 28m.09s in the men’s marathon.

L H Shyamali Anusha of Uva Province recorded a timing of 2h:58m.49s to win the women’s event. It was the second consecutive win for Niluka in the National Sports Festival cycling event. She also won sprint one, two and four while Ayesha Madushani won sprint three.

The marathon distance was 42kms which started from Anuradhapura Walisinghe Harischandra grounds and finished at the same point. Wayamba Province emerged men’s team champions while Uva Province won the women’s team championship. Wayamba Province also won the men’s team championship in racing.

North Central Province emerged women’s cycle team champions.

Western Province was adjudged the race walking men’s team champions while the women's team championship went to the Southern Province.

Attractive cash prizes were awarded apart from the trophies and medals after the event.

There were 108 male and 54 female competitors in the men’s and women’s marathon while 90 cyclists took part in each men’s and women’s cycling and race walking events.

The event was organized by the Sports Ministry in conjunction with the Sports Development Department and was sponsored by Nestle Lanka PLC.