All Island Schools Athletics in Matara in October
View(s):The Sri Lanka All Island School Games will be held in Colombo and the Outstations this year. This was disclosed by the Education Ministry.
According to the National School Games concept one year it was held in Colombo and in the following year in the Outstations. After 1994 the system was stopped. Now the Education Ministry has decided to switch back to the old system – one year to be held in Colombo and the other year in the outstations. The reason for this is to popularise and bring awareness to the School Games.
It has been revealed that when the School Games are held in Colombo only the participants are present and even parents and spectators were missing. Due to this there was no improvement in the grounds in the outstations as well. When the School Games are held in the outstations there is activity in improving the grounds, obtaining new equipment etc. According to Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Minister of Education, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe has said to go back to the 1984 National School Games concept.
Due to this Sunil Jayaweera, Special Consultant Sports of the Education Ministry has planned that the 2016 All Island School Games to be held in selected main cities. As a result of this, the All Island School Games Athletics Championships are to be held at the Matara Uyanwatte Stadium for five days from October 3 to 7. Prior to this the All Island School Athletic Championships were held in Matara, Badulla and Anuradhapura. Thirty two sports are conducted at the All Island School Games and these sports will be categorised accordingly and will be held in selected areas. From all the sports a National Schools Sports pool will be formed with talented players. -SP