Sadeepa and Angelo crowned Best Athletes at Benedictine Sports Meet 2020
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The champion House Camillus with the Rev. wBro Alexander Challenge Trophy
The most exciting event in the Benedictine School Calendar, the annual Inter-House Athletic Meet 2020 was held at the Sugathadasa Stadium on February 8 in the presence of a large gathering of students, parents, teachers, old boys and invitees.
Distinguished old Benedictine, former football captain Thilak Peiris and his wife Nelum, graced the occasion as chief guests and did the honours. The meet was conducted with military precision and raised the efficiency in organisation to a hitherto unseen level in Sri Lanka.
The opening ceremony commenced with a prayer followed by the hoisting of the National, College, De La Salle and Olympic flags. The Olympic Torch was carried by the 2020 College athletic captain Abhimaan Fernando followed by captains of the four houses – Cassian, Camillus, Claude and Luke – leading to the lighting of the Olympic Lamp. The Olympic Oath was read by the deputy athletic captains Sadeepa Fernando and Pasindu Senanayake and the meet was declared open by the Sports Co-ordinator Rev. Bro. Dilshan.
Athletic captain Abhimaan Fernando lighting the Olympic flame
A high standard of athletics was on display right throughout the day and awards of events concluded were presented in between the events. An important feature was that the honour of presenting the awards were given mainly to the most outstanding past athletes, the majority of them from the last decade, where Benedictines have been in the forefront of the Sri Lanka Schools athletics scene.
The Rev. Bro. Alexander Cyrillus Memorial Challenge Shield was won by Camillus House, who accumulated 508 points and the Rev. Bro. Baptist Croos Memorial Challenge Trophy for the runners-up was claimed by Claude House, who gained 499 points.
The beautiful souvenir published for the event had a very meaningful feature, where short introductions were given to the present students, teachers, brothers, old boys and parents, of the four Brothers, after whom the four Houses have been named. The Brothers were Rev. Bro. Cassian of Jesus, the only De La Salle Brother who has not been a Director of the College but one who faithfully served the school for 42 years (1870-1912), Rev. Bro. Camillus Eugene (Director 1909-1912), Rev. Bro. Claude Marie (Director 1923-1931) and Rev. Bro. Luke Gregory (Director 1931-1939, 1943-1947), who were all giants in the field of education and hence this dedication to their memory.
Sanjaya Srinath (Claude House) winning the Under-20 Medley Relay
All credit goes to the main organisers Rev. Bro. Dilshan Vimukthi FSC, Sports Co-ordinator Nuwan Abeywickrema, the coach and master-in-charge of athletics and the Meet Secretary, who rallied all the students, teachers and past athletes together and jointly showcased a brilliant sporting extravaganza.
- The Best Athletes
Under-12: Dilshan Shevan Caldera (Camillus)
Under-13: Christiano Louis (Camillus)
Under-14: Kalana Jayamanne (Claude)
Under-15: Angelo Fonseka (Camillus)
Under-16: Steve Fernando (Camillus)
Under-17: Ojitha de Silva (Cassian)
Under-18: Oshada Mottau (Cassian)
Chief Guests Mr and Mrs. Tilak Pieris with the Director Rev. Bro. A.E. Tarcisius
Under-20: Sadeepa Fernando (Camillus)
- Special Awards
Best Sprinter: Sadeepa Fernando
Best Thrower: Steve Fernando
Best Jumper: Akash Fernando
Best Hurdler: Sadeepa Fernando
Best Long Distance Runner: Sanjaya Srinath
Road Race winner (Junior): Sakuntha Balasooriya
Road Race winner (Senior): Sanjaya Srinath
Best Junior Athlete (Track): Angelo Fonseka
Best Junior Athlete (Field): Angelo Fonseka
Most Outstanding Athlete of the Meet: Sadeepa Fernando