Gateway Invitational Schools Relay Carnival on March 1

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By Susil Premalal   

Gateway College has organised an Invitational Schools Relay Carnival on March 1 at the Sugathadasa Stadium to celebrate its 25th anniversary.   

The relay carnival promises to be one of the biggest post pandemic athletic events with the participation of around 1,500 athletes from 18 schools in the country. There will be over 50 technical officials. Students, alumni and parents of athletes and well-wishers of all schools are also expected to attend the event.   
During the short history of 25 years, Gateway College has produced athletes of the highest calibre who have not only achieved national colours but represented Sri Lanka and brought glory at international level. 

 
“The Inter-International Schools’ Athletics Championship (ISAC) that was founded by Gateway and is a popular athletics competition in the country that produced such athletes. Gateway College planned to organise this year’s ISAC too but due to the current constraints, opted to host the relay carnival’ said Thilaka Jinadasa, Team Leader, Sports Development of Gateway College to Daily Mirror yesterday.   

There is no doubt that the Invitational Schools Relay Carnival is of national significance. Athletes of the calibre of Shelinda Jansen, Sadeepa Henderson and Hirusha Hashen who have represented Sri Lanka will feature in the competition from their respective schools.   

Dr. Harsha Alles, the Chairman of the Gateway Group will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony which will be held at 9.30 am while Ms. Emma Whale, Vice President of Pearson Schools Business in International Markets will grace the closing ceremony as the chief guest on at 4.00 pm on the same day.   

Edexcel is sponsoring an event of this nature and contributing to the overall development of pupils to be all-rounders. Edexcel has always supported extra-curricular activities of this nature, in its bid to promote healthy minds, accountability, dedication and leadership. The event is also supported by Vida Medical, Ceylon Athletics and Sri Lanka Athletics. Their involvement symbolises the commitment of these organisations towards the development and growth of children and sports.   

The Invitational Schools Relay Carnival 2022 will be conducted in accordance with the regulations coming under the International Athletics Federation Competition Rules.   

Schools participating in the meet are Asian International School, Bishops College Colombo International School, Colombo, Gateway College, Colombo, Gateway College Dehiwela, Gateway College Kandy, Gateway College Negombo, Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, Horizon College International, Lyceum International School Nugegoda, Lyceum International School Wattala, Our Lady of Victories Convent, Overseas International School, Royal Institute, S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia, St. Benedict’s College Kotahena, St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya and St. Sebastian’s College Moratuwa.