'No competitions for U-13'

by S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Cor.

There will be no more competitions or tournaments from 2013 for schoolchildren under the age of 13 and this will take away the unwanted rivalry which will be formed in the tender age and grow with them later, said the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage. He made these observations when he addressed the 133rd annual inter-house sports meet of Girls High School, Kandy, held at the Bogambara Stadium, Kandy.

The minister said these competitions develop at a very young age where they should be playing friendly encounters and develop friendships which should grow with age. Now what happens is a growth of rivalry and bitterness and this should be eliminated and the ideals of sports should be upheld. This decision to do away with tournaments for those under the age of 13 was a policy decision and this would come into force from 2013.

He said that only a small percentage less than 5 per cent indulge in sports at school level while others concentrate on studies. Sports and studies are equally important. Healthy body is necessary to keep a child fit and this could be done only through sports and regular exercises.