Education Minister Susil Premjayanth stresses importance of sports

By S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Correspondent

“You must accept victory and defeat in the same spirit and at the same time respect the decisions of the judges, referees and umpires and it is here the highest standards of sportsmanship is displayed”, said the Minister of Education Susil Premjayanth.

He made those observations when he addressed the Annual Colours Award Ceremony of Mahamaya Girls’ College, Kandy, held at the College Auditorium in Kandy on Friday evening.

Minister Susil Premjayanth said that Mahamaya Girls School was started in 1932 and Ven. Kalala Attadesi Mahanayaka Thera, Sir Bennet Soysa and Sir Cuda Ratwatte were the pioneers who were responsible for starting a girls school in Kandy named Mahamaya.

We are grateful to these founders of this school. The main purpose in starting this school was to teach the public the religious and cultural values of girls in our country and to mould them in a Buddhist way of life. After 74 years, today there are 4,000 students and 184 staff members in the school.
Minister Susil Premjayanth said that Mahamaya a leading Buddhist school in Kandy, has excelled not only in the academic field but also in the field of sports and as the Minister of Education, he is proud of them and he congratulated them.

Today is a ‘Red Letter’ day for the athletes of Mahamaya Girls School as them achievements are recognised and those who excelled are awarded colours and felicitated. It will motivate other students too. “You must compete hard and follow the rules and regulations, Fair play and justice should prevail in the playing field and always respect the umpires, judges and referees.

Whilst congratulating those who were awarded colours today and I wish others to perform well and keep it up to bring honour to your school first and to motherland. I am proud of Mahamaya girls who have performed so well that they kept the Sri Lanka flag flying in the field of sports and class room work”, the Minister said.

In conclusion Minister Susil Premjayanth a said that he would like to conclude his address with a poem which he learnt in his school days which sums up the value of sports and its philosophy. Although it is connected to cricket, the message he feels is common to all sportsmen and sportswomen.

He quoted “When the great scorer comes to write against your name and he writes not that you won or lost but how you played the game. This should be the mission and vision you should follow.

The most important thing is to participate. You may win or lose but if you respect the noble ethics of sportsmanship, your name will glitter forever. Your school and your personal name will be written in gold. He appealed to all students to participate in sports and build their character and to live in a competitive world, you must not be a book worm, you should also take part in extra activities, specially sports.

By taking part in sports, you learn team work and when you go out into the world, you must be an all-round student. Our Government lays special attention on sports and that is why he sustains a sustainable sports and physical education national policy is introduced to create healthy citizens and also to take Sri Lanka sportsmen and sportswomen to the international sports arena”, the Minister added.

Swimmer Shanika Wimalanatha was adjudged the ‘Best Sportswoman of the Year 2005 at this Colours Award ceremony.

The other best performers who were awarded the highest awards for national representation were: Viludani Yatawara (Swimming), Hansani Weeratunga (Swimming), Mihiri Kandanarachchi (Swimming), Udari Mendis (Swimming), Chamoka Madurawe (Badminton) and Lumbini Abanwela (Chess).