NSG athletic meet to be moved from Matale to Colombo

By Susil Premalal

The 48th National Sports Games (NSG) Athletic Championship is likely to be moved from the Bernard Aluvihare Stadium in Matale to the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo following several requests from coaches, athletes, and officials. 
This event, conducted by the Ministry of Sports, was set to be held in Matale following the request of State Minister of Sports Rohana Dissanayake. 
As the NSG will be the final preparation for Sri Lanka’s elite athletes ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, many believed that the Sugathadasa Stadium would be the safest venue for the athletes to compete. 
The Paris Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 13. In addition, the 102nd National Athletic Championships will be held from July 23 to 25.
All top coaches have agreed that the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo is the safest venue for the athletes to participate ahead of the Paris Olympic Games. 
Director General of the Department of Sports Development, Dr. Shemal Fernando, said that they would rethink staging the NSG Athletic Championship in Colombo following a discussion with Sports Minister Harin Fernando and State Minister Dissanayake. 
Meanwhile, the 2024 NSG stage one and three sports events will be held on June 1–2 in Kegalle, Negombo, Badulla, and Nawalapitiya.