By Susil Premalal

The national level competitions of the 46th National Sports Festival conducted by the Ministry of Sports which was postponed from July because of the coronavirus pandemic will commence from October 10 in Katharagama.

The festival comprising 29 disciplines will be worked off every weekend until November 19.

The opening events of the festival consisting of marathon, cycling and race walking will be held on October 10 and 11.

The marathon, cycling and race walking competitions are being held in preparation for the Asian championships to be held next year, while national pools will be selected from performances at the festival for other sports.

Apart from these three sports, the others disciplines are badminton, chess, carrom, gymnastic, swimming, weightlifting, football, beach kabaddi, beach volleyball, softball cricket, wrestling, elle, basketball, kabaddi, rugby, hockey, tae kwon do, wushu, karate do, boxing, judo, volleyball, bodybuilding, netball and athletics.

Apart from 10 sports, the other events will be worked off in Kandy, Katharagama, Polonnaruwa, Mahiyanga, Girandurukotte, Batticaloa, Galle, Matara, Ratnapura and Kurunegala.

The main event of the Sports Festival – athletics – will be held on December 17, 18 and 19 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.