Ratnapura or Matara as the venue to be decided on May 16
The 42nd NSF was held in Jaffna last year
The main venue of the 43rd National Sports Festival maybe changed from Ratnapura to Matara. The final decision will be taken on May 16 by the Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera.
The Sports Minister too has agreed that it may be a problem to stage the National Sports Festival in Ratnapura. A special discussion will take place on May 16 between the Sports Minister and Province Sports Ministers.
It was planned to stage nine sports at the Ratnapura Public ground and adjoining venues. At the moment renovations are taking place at the Ratnapura Public ground. It has been decided to construct a synthetic track at the venue but at the time of writing nothing has been done regarding this. The reason for this is the delay in calling for tenders.
It was originally planned to stage Volleyball, Handball, Football, Netball, Boxing, Wrestling, Basketball, Kabaddi and Athletics. The team events were scheduled to be held from September12 to 15. Track and Field events were to take place from September 15 to 18. Because of this plans are afoot to move the events to Matara.
When the Sunday Times posed these questions to Saman Bandara, Director General, Department of Sports Development, he said that he cannot give a definite reply but a meeting will be held with the Sports Minister on May 16, after that only he will be able to give a definite answer.
Currently the first and second stage events of the 43rd National Sports Festival are being conducted island wide. On May 27 and 28 four National level events is due to commence in Embilipitiya.
On May 27 will be the Marathon (men and women) and Cycling (Standard) men and women. On May 28 will be Race Walking (men and women) and Cycling (racing men and women). From July 6 onwards national level team events will commence.