28 new records set up at All Island School Games
View(s):The 31st All Island Schools Games Athletic Championship 2015 came to a successful end at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Sports Complex track Diyagama last Monday. The event was worked-off for five days and the closing stage of the games was marked by a colourful drill display by schoolchildren in the presence of the President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena and Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education.
Twenty eight new records were established in this year’s meet making it the first time in the history of the games such a large number of records were established. This performances of this up and coming lads and lasses signalled that a bright future lay ahead for Sri Lanka athletics where many more Susanthikas and Sugath Thillakaratnes will come into light in the near future.
For Roshan Dammika Ranatunga of Kularatne MMV, Godakawela and Rumeshika Kumari Ratnayake of St. Joseph’s Balika Vidyalaya, Kegalle this championship will be a memorable one as both were adjudged the Best Athletes in the Boys and Girls categories.Ranatunga won the award for his performance of 2.13mts in the Boy’s Under 19 High Jump event and the brightest prospect of schools athletics Rumeshika Ratnayake won the award for her timing of 24.09 secs in the Under 19 Girls 200m event.
The Overall Boys Championship was won by Maris Stella College, Negombo with an aggregate of 163 points while with an aggregate of 194 points A. Ratnayake MMV, Walala emerged Girls Overall Champions.
Ranatunga also won the Best Athlete (Boys or Girls) award in jumping events and Rimeshika won the Best Athlete (Boys or Girls) award in running events for her achievement in the Under 21 200m event. Maris Stella College, Negombo and St. Joseph’s Balika, Kegalle won the championships in the Boys and Girls relay respectively.
With an aggregate of 1043 points Western Province carried away the Provincial Championship while Central Province with 627 points finished first runner-up. Outstation athletes dominated in this year’s championship as athletes from city schools taking a back seat. Athletes from the North stole attention of everyone as they were seen enjoying their stay and mingling with schoolchildren from of other areas. Speaking to the Sunday Times an athlete from the North said, “We enjoyed our stay in Diyagama and the hospitality of the other schoolchildren came from many parts of Sri Lanka. It’s a privilege to be here and paid a special tribute for the organisers for providing every comfort on behalf of every athlete from the North.
Age Group champs: Under 15 – Boys: Maris Stella College, Negombo; Girls: St. Joseph’s Balika, Kegalle; Under 17 – Boys: Maris Stella College, Negombo; Girls: A. Ratnayake MMV, Walala; Under 19 – Boys: Maris Stella College, Negombo; Girls: St. Joseph’s Balika Kegalle; Under 21 – Boys: A. Ratnayake MMV, Walala; Girls: A. Ratnayake MMV, Walala
Best Athletes (Girls or Boys) with achievements: Jumping events: Roshan Dammika Ranatunga (Kularatne MMV) 2.13mts in Under 19 High jump; Throwing events – Pasindu Bawantha (Weera Keppitipola MMV) 57.77mts in Under 17 Discuss Throw; Hurdles – S.A.I. Nilantha (Galewela Central) 14.23secs in Under 19 hurdles event; Running – Rumeshika Kumari Ratnayake (St. Joseph’s Balika, Kegalle) 24.09 secs in Under 21 200mts event. -LR