Athletic: 80th Police Inter-Divisional Meet this weekend

The 80th Police Inter-Divisional Athletic Meet held which began on Friday (March 31), will come to an end at the Police Park on Sunday (April 2). 

This important event in the Police Sports Calendar, has produced many outstanding athletes who brought fame to the Police Force and to Sri Lanka, nationally and internationally. 

The inaugural Meet, pioneered by the 4th Inspector General of Police (IGP) of then Ceylon, Major F. Nolis, was held in 1902 at the Colombo Race Course. 

In recognition of this, the 'Nonis Shield' was awarded to the Best All-round Unit, by Major Nonis at the inaugural Meet, and is still recognised as the oldest shield awarded for Sports, in Sri Lanka. 

The Police Athletic Meet shifted to Police Park in 1925. The first Ceylonese IGP, Sir Richard Aluwihare, held that, the participants at the Meet represented the administrative districts level. 

However, the 16th IGP, Aleric Abeygunawardena, had the Meet conducted for all Police Divisions, as at present. 

On the occasion of the 80th Police Athletic Meet, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Jayakody, in his message stated, "This Meet can be aptly named as the birthplace of many talented Sportsmen and Sportswomen, both in the past and present." 

He respectfully acknowledged the contribution and indomitable courage of the sportspersons, coaches and administrators throughout history, who helped secure an honourable place for the name of the Sri Lanka Police, in the history of both national and international athletics.