Gateway to host the nineteenth International Schools’ Athletics Championships (ISAC)
View(s):The International Schools’ Athletics Meet which commenced in the year 2001 has presently established itself as the flagship sporting event in the International Schools’ calendar. ISAC 2019 has special significance for Gateway College who pioneered this meet, as this is the tenth time the school is hosting this gigantic event.
The International Schools’ Athletics Championship is scheduled to be held from 15 – 17 February 2019 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The composition of participation will comprise around 1500 athletes from 21 reputed International Schools and 350 technical officials, officiating at the event. A large gathering of over 15,000 spectators including students, parents and past pupils are expected to attend the competition. ISAC has progressed to the standard of an International Junior Athletics Competition particularly with the participation of foreign students. The entire event is fully computerized – from web based entries to instant results/scores via the internet.
Mrs. Rohini Alles, the Managing Director of the Gateway Group will be the Chief Guest at the Opening Ceremony which will be held at 8.00 am on Saturday the 16th while Sri Lanka’s cricketing legend, Mr. Kumar Sangakkara will grace the closing ceremony as the Chief Guest on Sunday the 17th of February at 3.00 pm. Ms. Premila Paulraj, Regional Director – Asia, Pearson PLC and Ms. Shea Wickramasingha, Group Managing Director at CBL Group will be Guests of Honour for the Closing Ceremony.
Dr. Harsha Alles, Chairman of ISAC 2019 and the Chairman of the Gateway Group says, “over the years, ISAC has become an important event that not only breeds talented athletes but also showcases junior athletes of international repute. There is no doubt that the event is of national significance. Since the inaugural competition, the standard of Athletics among International Schools has gradually advanced to an extent where several athletes have now reached national and international levels, providing much required competition at the highest levels. Athletes of the caliber of Shelinda Jansen, Sadeepa Henderson, Sachini Divyanjalee and Kavindu Bandara are a few such examples, he said.
The Principal Sponsors of the event are Pearson Edexcel and Ceylon Biscuits Ltd.
It is encouraging to see an academic awarding body such as Edexcel sponsoring an event of this nature and contributing to the overall development of pupils to be all-rounders. Students of the majority of TISSL Member Schools sit the Edexcel examinations (London IGCSE, and AL). Edexcel has always supported extra-curricular activities of this nature, in its bid to promote healthy minds, accountability, dedication and leadership. Edexcel has been the Principal Sponsor of the event for the last 9 years.
Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) is one of the fastest growing and largest conglomerates in Si Lanka under their flagship brand Munchee. Munchee being the No 1 biscuit in the country is well known for extending continuous support to many sports including the country’s national game volleyball. Ceylon Biscuits Ltd has come forward to be one of the Principal Sponsors of the 19th International Schools’ Athletics Championship. Ceylon Biscuits Ltd also sponsors the Sir John Tarbet Inter Schools’ Athletics Meet, the Inter international Schools’ Soccer Tournament and the Junior National Squash Championship to name a few.
The event is also supported by Melwa (Melwire Rolling Pvt Ltd), Airtel, Keells, Elephant House, Meadowlea, Asiri Health and Gateway Graduate School. Their sponsorships symbolize the commitment of these organizations towards the development and growth of children and sports.
ISAC 2019 will be conducted in accordance with the TISSL rules and regulations while coming under the International Athletics Federation Competition Rules, and will include electronic timing and measurements. The Championship is fully computerized with web based entries and instantly accessible results and scores via the Internet through the ISAC website www.isaclk.com. Designed and developed by Gateway Consultancy Services, this website will provide all necessary information including past meet records and full lists of competitors for this year’s meet. All athletes will carry a common Identity Card issued by TISSL, the Association of the Member Schools.
TISSL member schools competing in this year’s ISAC are:
1. Asian International School
2. Alethea International School
3. Belvoir College International
4. Burhani Serendib School
5. The British School in Colombo
6. Colombo International School, Colombo
7. Colombo International School, Kandy
8. Elizabeth Moir International School
9. Gateway College, Colombo
10. Gateway College, Kandy
11. Leeds International School
12. Lyceum International School, Nugegoda
13. Lyceum International School, Panadura
14. Lyceum International School, Ratnapura
15. Lyceum International School, Wattala
16. OKI International School
17. Regent International College
18. Royal Institute, Colombo
19. Stafford International School
20. St. Nicholas International College
21. Wycherley International School