Jaffna sports enthusiasts celebrate NOC festival

by T. Vivekarasa - Vavuniya Special Corr.

NOC celebrations: For the first time in the island's contemporary history, sports enthusiasts in Jaffna got opportunity to celebrate National Olympic Festival in their own city concurrent to the same occasion celebrated in 202 countries world wide.

The main function at the Duraiappa Stadium in Jaffna organised by the National Olympic Committee (NOC) with coordination of security forces Headquarters-Jaffna (SF-J) turned colourful with a number of sports and cultural events performed in front of many spectators who had come to witness the event. Official function started with the lighting of the Olympic Torch by a team of young sportsmen and sportswomen and hoisting of the National Flag by Chief Guest Minister of Sports C.B. Ratnayake.

A display of Taekwindo and Drill Display presented by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army at the grand finale thrilled the crowd while traditional dance items performed by girls of Wembadi College and members of Thirulkurai Kala Manthran Jaffna delighted the large crowd. There was also a handball game played between the Army team and the Jaffna team.