The very first National Sports Festival to grace the Jaffna peninsula kicked started today at the Durayappah Stadium in Jaffna today. This event will see over 2100 athletes competing in their respective track and field sports disciplines over the next three days (30th Sep to 02nd October).
Speaker of the Parliament Hon. Karu Jayasooriya was the Chief Guest of the occasion with Minister of Sport Dayasiri Jayasekara, Minister of National Co-existence, Dialogue and Official Languages Hon. Mano Ganeshan and Deputy Minister of Sport Hon H.M.H Harris also graced the occasion.
Marking the start of this fabulous initiative to connect the athletes from all around the country Hon. Speaker Karu Jayasooriya hoisted the National flag with Minister Jayasekara hoisting the ministry flag followed by the provincial flags which were hoisted by the respective sports minsters of the provinces.
Keeping with the Olympic tradition the official lamp of the games was lit by the veteran athletes Mr S Anton Pille and Mrs Jayanthi Somasekaram de Silva from the Northern Province. Athlete K.A.M Manjula Kumarasinghe delivered the athletes pledge while senior technical officer T.M Devendra delivered the Umpires pledge.
Delivering the opening speech the Speaker of the Democratic socialist republic of Sri Lanka Hon. Karu Jayasooriya added “I extend my greetings and good wishes to the youth of Sri Lanka from all provincial council areas assembled here today. May there be healthy competition and a spirit of camaraderie throughout the festival and even after. ”
Men’s 10000m Final will start off the proceedings of the first day of the festival tomorrow (30th September) with a number of interesting events in the pipeline during the day. Stay tuned to www.thepapare.co m as we will be bringing you exciting updates from Durayappah stadium.
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