Athletics keeps Karunadasa in good shape

by Upananda JAYASUNDERA - Kandy Sports Special Cor.

ATHLETICS: There is a saying that once you indulge in sports activities that person will not like to give up taking part in sports activities. This is particularly applicable where B.N.G. Karunadasa - an old boy of Wickremabahu Vidyalaya, Gampola.

When Karunadasa was a student of Wickremabahu Vidyalaya, he represented the school in four sports - Athletics, Football, Cricket and was also a Cadet in the school platoon.

Once he left school, he concentrated in athletics - in the 10,000 metre and 5,000 metre races and won at the Inter-District and Inter-Grama Sevaka Division races for a number of years.

Athletics had really caught the fancy of Karunadasa and he has been winning the top place in the 400 metres and long jump events for the last six years, ie. in the age group 45 to 50 years (2 years), 50 to 55 years (2 years) and 55 or 60 years (2 years).

He was also fond of soccer and played for 'Navaka Tharu' Sports Club, Gampola and played as full-back and later joined Athula Football Club and played in the same position and helped Athula Football Club to win 'Henry Challenge Shield' and Winson Silva Memorial Tournament for a number of years.

Right now, Karunadasa is attached to the Health Department, Kandy and has changed his preference from long distance running to High Jump and 400 metres. He is the athletic captain of Health Department and keeps himself in good shape by practising daily for one hour.