Sri Lanka light up ‘Road to Aichi-Nagoya 2026’ with colourful Fun Run
View(s):Golden beaches, soaring kites, and hundreds of schoolchildren created a picture-perfect backdrop for the Asian Games Fun Run organised by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC) at Mt. Lavinia recently, as part of the promotional campaign for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
The event, held on the sands of Mt. Lavinia, featured a colourful pageant of cultural performances, including traditional dancing, kite-surfing demonstrations, and kabaddi, capturing the spirit of Asia. This marked the eighth Asian stopover of the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) ‘Asian Games for All’ campaign, and the first Fun Run attended by OCA Director General Captain Husain Al Musallam.
“I thank the Sri Lanka NOC and the Government of Sri Lanka for hosting this Asian Games Fun Run. I thank all the participants, especially the youth, for turning up and I thank you for your support,” Captain Al Musallam said.
The Chief Guest, Sunil Kumara Gamage, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, graced the occasion alongside distinguished dignitaries, including Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka, Kamoshida Naoaki, Third Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Kawamoto Mioko, Director of PR and Media, Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC), Fumihito Kanaizuka and senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports and the Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council.
Also present were Secretary General of NOC, Rifdy Fahmy, Vice Presidents of NOC, Deva Henry, Niloo Jayatilake, Shirantha Peries, Treasurer of NOC, Prithiviraj Perera, Executive Board members and Sub-Committee chairpersons of NOC, Director – NOC Relations and Development Programme of the OCA, Wissam Trkmani, Director of Media and Broadcast of the OCA, Jeans Zhou Jian, OCA Reporter, Alvin Sally, and members of the AINAGOC PR and Media team. Representatives from National Sports Federations, doctors from the Institute of Sports Medicine, athletes, schoolchildren, and teachers added to the vibrant atmosphere.
The highlight of the day was the enthusiastic participation of schoolchildren from 15 schools in a Fun Run and a lively obstacle race, both of which were raucously cheered on by their peers. Adding colour to the celebrations, a kite festival themed ‘Imagine One Asia’ also took place with over 65 children taking to the skies with their creations. The winners of these competitions were awarded prizes at the Fun Run.
Adding to the celebration, winners of the Asian Youth Reporter Programme were also recognised and presented with prizes, highlighting the OCA and NOC SL’s commitment to youth engagement and education through sport.
The festivities concluded with a spectacular cultural performance by the Sri Lanka Air Force Performing Arts troupe, depicting the life and traditions of Sri Lanka’s coastal communities. The Asian Games Fun Run in Mt. Lavinia stood as a testament to sport’s power to unite, inspire, and pave the way for Sri Lanka’s journey to the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.