National Sports Games put off for 2023

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By Susil Premalal

The Sports Ministry is considering a postponement of the 47th National Sports Games to January-March 2023 due to the current economic crisis in the country.   
The Games were not held for two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic since 2019 and the 2022 event is also doubtful since the country is going through its worst period after the independence in 1948.   

However, the marathon, race-walking and the cycling events sponsored by Nestle Lanka Limited would go ahead as scheduled on October 8 and 9 in Gampaha, but the remaining 28 sports disciplines have not been finalised, according to internal sources of the Sports Ministry.   

The Sports Ministry and the Sports Development Department had allocated a total of Rs. 200 million for the 2022 Games but since the budget has brought down to Rs. 20m, there is a serious doubt about the rest of the competition events.   

Therefore, the remaining 28 sports events of the 2022 Games will be conducted after obtaining the funds allocated for the year 2023.   

Meanwhile, hereafter, the National Sports Festival will be known as the National Sports Games.   

Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe believes that having a Sports Festival will not develop sports in the country and hence decided to change the name to National Sports Games from this year.