Prizes galore with an eye for a vote
Over 800 athletes are expected to take part in the final stage of the 39th National Sports Festival, which will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa at 2.30 p.m. at the Jayatilleke Stadium in Nawalapitiya today.
The gala sports festival, which features all sports disciplines, will come to a close on Tuesday after the finals of the athletics, netball and volleyball tournaments. The finals of other sports disciplines were held over the past few weeks at different venues around the country.
Interestingly, this year’s edition of the National Sports Festival has been lavishly organised by the Ministry of Sports targeting the upcoming provincial elections according to reliable sources. The Central Province is one of the regions in the country that will conduct the Provincial Elections on September 21.
According to these sources, the three-day event which brings the 39th National Sports Festival to an end is expected to cost Rs. 60 million. In addition, sources close to the Ministry of Sports reveal that government officials, headed by Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage, has instructed the organisers to conduct the sports event as part of and in parallel to the government’s election propaganda programme. In addition, the organisers are planning to spend a huge amount on a lavish musical extravaganza featuring leading musical artistes on the closing day of the event.
With top government officials expected to grace the three-day event including President Rajapaksa and the Premier D.M. Jayaratne, athletes, participants, officials and residents around the Jayathilleke Stadium in Nawalapitiya are expected to be subjected to tough security procedures.
The three days are reserved to conduct the final events of track and field, netball and men’s and women’s volleyball. The finals of netball and both categories of volleyball events are expected to be held tomorrow at the indoor complex of the Jayathilleke Stadium which was completed last July at an expense of Rs. 350 million.
The first athlete to break a national record from track and field events is expected to receive a brand new motorcar worth Rs. 2.5 million. In addition, the best sports star in both men’s and women’s categories will receive a brand new motorcycle each while the best athlete from each of 21 events is expected to receive a cash award of Rs. 5000. For the first time in history, all members of the teams who win gold, silver and bronze medals from each event will be eligible to receive a cash reward of Rs. 3000, 2000 and 1000 respectively. Earlier this cash reward was granted only for teams. The Ministry of Sports will spend Rs. six million on cash awards but grand prizes of a motorcar and two motorcycles are provided by sponsors. The total cost of the 39th National Sports Festival is met by funds provided by the Treasury and the National Sports Fund.
Other costs of the event include allowances provided for participating athletes and officials. An athlete will receive a daily allowance of Rs. 500 at this year’s event. Earlier they were provided with all three meals during the whole event. Nearly 1000 officials are expected to assist the event and each of them is slotted to receive a daily allowance of Rs. 1500 for meals and accommodation. According to sources, the Ministry of Sports has made this decision after receiving complaints from athletes and officials with regard to the meals provided during the previous versions of the sports festival.
Meanwhile, days prior to the event the Ministry of Sports has decided to increase the salaries of over 400 sports officials after learning that they were getting ready to launch a protest at the 39th National Sports Festival demanding a pay hike. Accordingly over 400 sports officials attached to the Ministry of Sports and District Secretariats throughout the island will receive a salary increment of Rs. 1500 from this month after a great lapse.
Today the finals of the men’s and women’s 4x100m relay will be held soon after the opening ceremony which will be led with the lighting of the Olympic torch by two veteran sporting personalities Major W.G. Ariyasena and Deepika Rodrigo.
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