Inter - International Schools Athletics March 1, 2 and 3 at Sugathadasa Stadium

by Ranjan Anandappa

The Inter-International Schools Athletic Championships which is now a firmly embedded event in their school curriculum and a much look forward to event of the year, will take place on March 1, 2 and 3, 2013 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

A record number of over 3000 athletes from 23 international schools are down to take part in 130 events with the participation of over 300 officials. The meet will be held in conformity to international standards with electronic timing, AAA rules and regulations and fully computarised equipment. The organisers are expecting a crowd of 15,000 which includes parents, relatives, staff members, well-wishers and past pupils. The chief guest at the opening ceremony will be Manos Kapterian the MD of Edexcel the principal sponsor, while R.I.T. Alles, the founder of the meet will be the chief guest at the closing ceremony. The co-sponsors are MAS Holdings, Ritzbury and Gateway Graduate School.

Last year the meet was held at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium Diyagama, where Lyceum International School, Wattala won the championship. Lyceum has won the championship on five occasions while Gateway International School has emerged winners on six occasions and the Colombo International School has won once.

Dr. Harsha Alles, the Chairman of TISSL (The Association of The Premier International Schools Sri Lanka) and the Deputy Chairman Gateway College, announced at a press briefing held at "Waters Edge" that the event is nothing new for the media as it has been held for twelve years since its inception in 2001 by its founder R.I.T. Alles. Harsha further said that the meet was first held at the Shalika ground in Narahenpita in an informal way, and now with the support of the member schools it has reached the state of a national event and a flagship event in the calendar of the international schools.

"Over the years the ISAC has become an important event that not only produces athletes but also showcases junior athletes with international repute. There is no doubt that the event is of national significance. Since the inaugural competition ,the standard of athletics among international schools have gradually advanced to an extent where several athletes have now reached national and international levels. Athletes in the calibre of Shehan Ambepitiya, Nadeeshani Henderson are few such examples " he said.