Western Province leads in Team Events
Western Province is currently heading the field with 46 gold medals, 42 silver medals and 26 bronze at the ongoing National Sports Festival.
Sixteen events in the Festival have been completed. It should be noted that Western Province has won 19 gold medals in swimming alone. If not for the medals haul in swimming Central Province would have overhauled Western Province for the top berth. Central Province has 33 gold, 21 silver and 38 bronze medals.
Altogether there are 24 events in the Sports Festival. The 16 events which has been completed to date are; Marathon, Race Walking, Cycling, Swimming, Taekowndo, Beach Volleyball, Hockey, Cricket, Judo, Boxing, Netball, Kabadi, Gymnastics, Badminton, Wrestling and Volleyball. The rest of the events are to be concluded during this weekend.
Western Province has won the championship title several times at Sports Festivals.
Nadeesha Gayanthi of Southern province in action
BADMINTON
Imesh Hasaranga of Western Province and Nadeesha Gayanthi of Southern Province won the singles titles in men and women events of the Badminton championships and in the process bagged the best awards as well.
In the men’s final Imesh Hasaranga overcame N.J. John of Central Province by two sets to nil. Scores: 21-16, 21-13. In the women’s singles final Nadeesha beat Upuli Weerasinghe of Western Province by 2 sets to nil. Scores: 23-21, 21-13.
The men’s team championship was annexed by Western Province who beat Southern Province by three sets to one. In the women’s team championship Southern beat Western by three sets to two.
The badminton events were held at the Badminton Headquarters at Torrington Square.
VOLLEYBALL
Western Province won the men’s volleyball title defeating Sabaragamuwa by three sets to zero. Scores: 25-17, 25-12 and 25-16. The third place went to North Western Province who beat North Central Province by three sets to one. Sores: 23-25, 25-23, 25-22 and 25-22.
In the men’s tournament the best player was Dimuthu Rumesh Ranawaka of Western Province. In the women’s championship North Western Province ousted Western Province by three sets to one. Scores: 25-15, 25-18 and 25-21.
The third spot was taken by Southern Province who beat North Western Province by three sets to nil. Scores: 25-16, 25-16 and 25-13.
The best player in the women’s section was Iresha Udayangani of North Western Province. The volleyball events took place at the Nawalapitiya Jayatilleke Indoor Stadium.
BOXING
Central Province bagged the boxing title held at the Veyangoda Bandaranaike MV Indoor Stadium and in the process pocketed four gold, two silver and two bronze.
North Central Province was the overall runners-up with two gold, two silver and four bronze. Uva occupied the third place with two gold and two bronze.
It should be noted that all participating provinces won medals in boxing and the best boxer’s title went to M.V.I.R.S. Bandara of North Western Province (49 -52 kg) who displayed his talents in no uncertain terms to be adjudged the best boxer.
NETBALL
Western Province showed their netball talents in no uncertain terms when they bagged the fourth title in a row at the competition held at the Gampaha Sri Bodhi grounds.
Western Province edged out Southern Province by 61 goals to 53 in the final. In the first and second quarters, Southern Province 15-10 and 16-13. In the third and fourth quarters they were in commend winning them at 7-20 and 15-18. `
Two former national netball captains in Damayanthi Jayatilleke and Sashika Samarasinghe turned out for the champions Western Province. In the Southern Province too there were several national players.
The best player in the final was Hasitha Mendis of Western Province. In the play-off for the third place Central beat Sabaragamuwa by 53 goals to 37.
SOFTBALL CRICKET
Sabaragamuwa Province women emerged champions in the Softball Cricket competition defeating Eastern Province in the final.
The third place went to Central Province. This competition took place at the Matara Uyanwatte Stadium. The contest was a six-a-side, five overs per side contest.
In the final Sabaragamuwa batted first and scored 46 for 1 wicket in five overs. Eastern Province replied with 34 for 3 wickets. The Shailaika Nirukshani of Sabaragamuwa was chosen as the best player.
The men’s tournament could not be completed due to incessant rain.
JUDO
D.Y.C Wijesinghe of Air Force won the match with W.G.N.G Piyananda(Giraulla central College) in the Judo 63Kg catagory
Chamara Nuan Dharmaratne of Central Province and Kaushaya Tharangani of Sabaragamuwa Province were the best judo players in the men’s and women’s divisions in the Judo Competition held at the Torrington Indoor Stadium, Colombo.
Central Province went on to pocket nine gold, nine silver and 14 bronze. Western Province was the runners-up with three gold, 3 silver and one bronze. Sabaragamuwa were third with two gold, four silver and seven bronze.
The overall championship was annexed by Central Province men and women.