Ready and Set to Go from Oct.13-17
All arrangements have been finalised for the biggest Schools’ sporting event in the country- the 32nd All-Island School Games Athletics Championships- to be held from October 13-17 at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy. Over 5,000 athletes, 2,684 Boys and 2,437 Girls, from 1,452 schools will compete in 4 age Groups- Under (U)-15, U-17, U-19 and U-21. The Games Torch will be lit by Roshan Dhammika Ranatunga of Godakawela MV and Rumeshika Ratnayake of St. Joseph’s BMV, Kegalle, revealed Minister of Education (MoE), Akila Viraj Kariyawasam and Special Consultant Sports- MoE, Sunil Jayaweera, at a press briefing held at Football House, Colombo, on Tuesday. This event will be conducted by the MoE at a cost of Rs. 40 million, and is sponsored by Bank of Ceylon (BoC), Nestle Lanka Ltd and Prima.
A total of 27 Sports events will be worked off at the Games, while 26 have already been completed under 4 Stages. The organisers will select 60 competitors for the ‘Best Athlete’ Award with 58 already identified to receive these awards. Each ‘Best Athlete’ will receive a cash prize of Rs 20,000 from BoC. In addition, all participants will be provided free Board and Lodging, for which the MoE has allocated over Rs. 8 million. This facility is being provided after a lapse of 24 years. The MoE has also spent Rs 2 million for the Opening and Closing ceremony. MoE, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam will be the Chief Guest at the Opening ceremony, while the Minister of Higher Education and Highways, Lakshman Kiriella will be the Chief Guest at the Closing ceremony.