All arrangements have been finalized to conduct the 47th National Sports Festival on 24th, 25th and 26th August at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo said Sports Director General Dr Shemal Fernando.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs together with the Department of Sports Development is conducting the mega event under the leadership and guidance of the Minister of Sports, Roshan Ranasinghe. This is the great Sport event while it’s like our Olympics and all sports are included for this event which is conducted by Sports Ministry added Dr Shemal Fernando.
This year the games is conducted with a slashed budget but all needs of over five thousand athletes have been looked into very carefully and fulfilled said Sports Director General.
The Opening Ceremony under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Dinesh Gunawardene will take place at 3.00 p m on 24th August while the Closing Ceremony will be held under the patronage of the President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe at 3.00 p m on 26th August
The newly appointed Director General of Sports, Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando has put in his wealth of experience and exposure to elevate the standards and make the national event a mini ‘Olympic Games of Sri Lanka’ and it’s going to be a good opportunity for Sri Lanka athletes before forthcoming Asian Games.
A total of 262 gold medals, 262 silver medals and 360 Bronze medals will be awarded this year. The competitions in respect of 30 disciplines were conducted and a total of 5806 athletes including 3215 sportsmen and 2591 sportswomen will represent the nine provinces.
The athletics competition will be worked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium . A total of 760 athletes (409 men and 351 women) will vie for honours representing all nine provinces
The honour of lighting the ‘Games Flame’ at the Opening Ceremony has been bestowed on E. M. L. Priyankara and M. A. S. Shivantha Jayathilake of the Western Province in keeping with the tradition. Priyankara has excelled in Wrestling and Judo at national and international competitions becoming the most outstanding athlete in both the sports at National Sports Games at five National Sports Games. Shivantha Jayatilake is an athlete who has won laurels in the sprint double of 100m and 200m at the National Sports Games. K. A. K. Lakrani Perera will take the oath on behalf of all athletes. She is a former national record holder in pole vault and has been an active athlete at the national level for a long time.
Dhammika Ratnaweera