Gampaha retain overall title at Youth Sports Festival

Gampaha District athletes celebrate their win with the trophy    

The four best athletes:  (left to right) Sithija Dias, Lakshima Mendis (Under 20), Kaushalya Madushani, Yasindu Herath, (Over 20) with Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa     

By Susil Premalal

Gampaha District retained the overall title for the seventh successive year at the 33rd National Youth Sports Festival concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday.

Gampaha District collected a total of 170 points while the runners-up Colombo District had 102 points and third place Kandy District finished with 93 points.

The meet was conducted by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports. 

A total of 11 new meet records were established in the track and field events during this four-day event.
Meanwhile, Sithija Dias of Kurunegala District, who won the 110m hurdles with a time of 14.27s, was named as the Best Athlete in the Boys’ Under-20 track and field championship.

Lakshima Mendis of Gampaha District, who won the 400m with a time of 56.00s, was named as the Best Athlete in the Girls’ Under-20 track and field championship.

Yasindu Herath of Kandy District, who won the long jump with a performance of 7.52m, was named as the Best Athlete in the Boys’ Over-20 track and field championship.

Kaushalya Madushani of Kurunegala District, who won the 400m hurdles with a time of 1:00. 44s, was named as the Best Athlete in the Girls’ Over-20 track and field championship.

The four best athletes received a cash award of Rs 250,000 each while the overall champions received Rs 150,000, runners-up Rs 100,000 and the third place Rs 75,000.

The awards presentation took place under the patronage of Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa.