Cycling: Mountain biking at Katana on March 11

The first event in the Mountain Biking calendar for 2017 will be held at the Pope Paul de Sixth Maha Vidyalaya in Katana with the concurrence of the parents union, teachers and students of the school and supported by National Mountain Biking Association (NMBA). 

The event will take place on March 11 from 8.30am with a cycling parade to inaugurate the proceedings with the participation of school teachers, parents, public and students. 

“I wish our students will also excel in extracurricular activities in addition to their academic qualifications, so they can be physically and mentally fit to face challenges when they are part and parcel of the society,” Principal of the school Rev. Fr. D.A.A. Perera, inaugurating the MTB dirt track made within the school land allotted to conduct the cyclo cross and open for students to try their skill on bikes, stated. 

NMBA makes alliance with Pope Paul de Sixth MV to promote and build 'cycling friendly environment' along with the other district schools in Negombo, for the purpose of developing mountain biking as a sport at national level by introducing this to remote schools. 

It hopes to kick start this plan by organising an extravagant mountain biking championship, on March 11 and make this part of the annual calendar of events. 

All programmes will include a mood of a carnival festivity with entertainment for various age groups and cycling for all. 

A fun event also in the list shall invite all tourists to join the race. Singer Sri Lanka Lanka has come forward to sponsor while NTB Bank also joins in a contributor.