Four hundred and forty-four sports stars to receive Schools Colours

by Ranjan Anandappa

Four hundred and forty-four schoolboys and schoolgirls will receive colours at the annual Milo Schools Colours ceremony to be held at the BMICH on October 25 at 2.00 p.m.

This ever popular ceremony for promising youngsters who will be the future champions of the country in their selected field of sport is held for the 19th occasion. It is conducted by the Ministry Of Education and the Sri Lanka Schools Sports Union and sponsored by Nestle' Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Boys and girls who have taken part in a sport or won at International or national level will receive colours and swimming (62) takes top billing among the recipients. The other 35 disciplines which will be presented with colours are Volleyball (12), Athletics (16), Aerobic gymnastics (4), Badminton (19), Gymnastics (10), Hockey (27), Wushu (4), Mountaineering (10), Taekwondo (10), Life saving (2), Judo (20), Wrestling (8), Cricket (24) Cycling (4), Football (18), Weight lifting (19), Boxing (15), Carrom (11), Chess (5), Rowing (14), Throwball (4), Rugby (31), Softball Cricket (8), Table Tennis (13), Tennis (7), Elle (12), Basketball (12), Kabbadi (9), Karate (23), Netball (11) and Squash (6).

Bandula Egodage the Assistant Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communication of Nestle Lanka Ltd. said at the press briefing at the CR&FC Auditorium with regard to the award ceremony that any schoolboy's ambition is to win an award at this ceremony as it is a stepping stone for his or her's future endeavours in sports or studies.

He also paid a fitting tribute to the out-going Director General(Sports) Ministry Of Education Rohana Karunaratne who also played an important role in developing sports at school level.

At provincial level, 72 schools in the western province have won the most number of colours which is 72. The second place was secured by the Central province with the participation of 26 schools have 96 recipients and Wayamba is placed third with 32 colours winners with 16 schools taking part.

The following names were nominated by the respective schools for the selection of the sportsmen and sportswomen with special skills.

The up and coming Sportsmen of the year. Nominations: Nuwan Nirmal Jayasundera (Table tennis) Maliyadeva, Kurunegala. K.D.S.V. Randeniya (Athletics) Ranabima Royal College, Peradeniya. Ushan Lewange Samarakoon (Royal,Colombo), Mathew Abeysinghe (Swimming) Asian International School.

The Up And Coming Sportswoman of the Year Nominations: Ruwani Kannangara (Table tennis) Musaeus . Apeksha Maralanda (Athletics) Mahamaya, Kandy. Supekshala Thilakawardene (Chess) Musaeus. Vinoli Sahnika Siriwardene (swimming).

Best Sportman of The Year Nominations: Chamira Ginige (Table tennis) Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda. Kesara Ekanayake (Volleyball) Senanayake MV, Madamape, C.P.Weerasinghe (Athletics) Vijitha MV,Dickwella. W.W.C.Perera (Chess) Trinity. Heshan Unamboowe (Swimming) Trinity.

Best Sportswoman of The year Nominations: Nuwani Nawodya (Table tennis) Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda, Nadeera Jayasekera (swimming), Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, P.M.S.K. Ratnayake (Athletics) St.Joseph's BV, Kegalle. W. Sachini Kaushalya (Judo) Maharagama MV.