Grand Festival of University Sports
[May 2 to 12]
By Yasaratne Gamage
One of the most eagerly awaited events in the Sri Lankan University
calendar, Sri Lanka University Games 2013 will be held from May 2 to 12
mainly at the University of Moratuwa Grounds. The 11th opening ceremony
will be held at the main grounds at 4pm under the patronage of President
Mahinda Rajapaksa as the chief guest while the Higher Education Minister
S.B. Dissanayake will be guest of honour.
 The University of Moratuwa has the privilege of organizing and
hosting the games this year.
The event is ably supported by the Ministry of Higher Education,
University Grants Commission, the Vice Chancellor of University of
Moratuwa Prof. Ananda Jayawardena and the University Administration, Sri
Lanka University Sports Association (SLUSA) and the Sports Board of the
University of Moratuwa. There are 14 universities participating in 22
sporting categories and 35 events with the participation of over 5,200
students throughout the two weeks. The closing ceremony with the
awarding of championships and trophies will be held on May 12 at 4 pm
with the participation of Minister S.B. Dissanayake as the chief guest
at the same venue.
Festival held triennially
The sports festival held triennially from 1980 provides the young
undergraduates of the country with a great opportunity to prove
themselves who are highly talented not only in academics, but also in
the sporting arena.
The idea of a university sports festival was first brought forward in
1980 by Lesley Handunge, who was the director of Physical Education at
the University of Peradeniya. Handunge was a skilled sportsman himself,
who had represented Sri Lanka in the Olympics and had led the Sri Lankan
team at the World University Sports Festival. His initiative resulted in
the first Sri Lanka University Sports Festival, held at the University
of Peradeniya, with the participation of six universities in 20 sporting
events. Since then the organization of the event has been rotated among
the six universities; Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa, Kelaniya, Sri
Jayawardenapura and Ruhuna.
The last Games was organized by the University of Sri
Jayewardenepura, and the championship was won by the University of
Colombo. The UOC has also won the highest number of championships in the
Games history, with eight wins, while the University of Peradeniya has
gained the championship twice.
Hosted by UOM, the 11th Games will see sports personnel from
University of Colombo, University of Peradeniya, University of Moratuwa,
University of Sri Jayewardenepura, University of Kelaniya, University of
Jaffna, University of Ruhuna, Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Rajarata
University of Sri Lanka, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Wayamba
University of Sri Lanka, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka,
University of Visual and Performing Arts and Uva Wellassa University of
Sri Lanka sweat for supremacy.
Stiff competition anticipated
It is anticipated that there will be stiff competition and that all
sides will show their highest talent and sportsmanship to achieve the
much coveted championship title. The teams are already in training for
the most looked forward to event of the year, hoping to prove their
talent and win the glory of victory.
The Games brings together the academically talented youth from all
around the island forging new bonds through the shared experiences,
while providing a platform for athletes and encouraging the growth of
university sports. A press conference organized by the host university
was held recently at the Olympic House Auditorium to announce the public
and other interested members of the sporting community about the
upcoming events. Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne, Secretary, Ministry of
Higher Education speaking on the occasion said that the event is of
utmost importance to build leadership qualities and team work among the
university community.
Sunil Gunawardena, Director General, Sports and Talent Development,
Ministry of Higher Education also expressed his views on the importance
of the event in order to keep fit and healthy to have a long life which
in turn gives the educated to serve the country a couple of more years.
Prof. Sohan Wijesekera briefed on the history and evolution of the
University Games and congratulated University of Moratuwa for hosting
the Games for the second time after 18 years. He also mentioned the
growth among the university sporting community that has led 68
participants to represent the country at the world university games in
Kazan, Russia this year, with the support from the Ministry of Higher
Education.
Prof. Ananda Jayawardena gave an introduction to the hosting
university and the importance of sports to improve the qualities and
attributes that makes a balanced person.
He said, “We consider it a privilege to organise the event for the
second time, this is a huge opportunity and challenge. As the best
technical university in the country we will make maximum use of
technology for the success of the event.”
Game schedule and venues
University of Moratuwa
Badminton May 5-7
[Men/women]
Baseball May 6/7 Men
Chess May 10-12
[Men/women]
Elle May 9 and 10
[Men/women ]
Karate May 8 and 9
[Men/women]
Road race May 4 Men:
Table tennis May 9 and 10
[Men/women]
Taekwondo May 10 and 11
[Men/women]
Weight lifting May 3 Men
Wrestling May 7 Men
Sugathadasa Stadium
Basketball May 3-5
[Men/women]
Sports Ministry grounds:
Football May 3-5 Men
Police grounds:
Hockey May 8 and 9
[Men/women]
National Youth Services Council
Netball May 6 and 7
[Women]
Volleyball May 5-8
[Men/women]
Colombo Rowing Club
Rowing May 4 Men
CR and FC grounds:
Rugby May 3 Men
University of Sri Jayawardenapura
Swimming May 7
[Men/women]
Mahinda Rajapakse InternationalStadium
Track and Field May 11-12
[Men/women]
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