3000 athletes to participate at ISAC on February 27,28 and March 1

The International Schools Athletic Championship (ISAC) will be staged for the 15th consecutive year at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo on February 27, 28 and March 1 with the participation of 25 international schools. At least 3000 athletes representing these 25 schools are expected to compete in 130 different events under eight categories for boys and girls.

This year’s ISAC will be inaugurated on February 27 early morning with the lighting of the Olympic torch by Udantha Bandara and Shanika Fernando, both students of the hosting school Gateway International, who became the best male and female athlete respectively last year. The three-day event which usually draws a huge number of spectators is expected to fill the stands with at least 15,000 supporters this year too. The number includes students, parents, staff members and supporters of the 25 participating schools.

Over 300 officials are expected to conduct the events under the rules adopted and implemented by the Amateur Athletic Association of Sri Lanka. The ISAC is conducted annually under International Athletic Federation competition rules, which includes up-to-date electronic timing and measurements. The competition is conducted in accordance to The International Schools of Sri Lan- ka (TISSL) and Gateway International School will get to organise the competitions for the ninth occasion.

The ISAC was inaugurated in 2001 and by today the standard of track and field among international schools have steadily progressed resulting in a number of athletes going on to represent Sri Lanka at top level.

Gateway International School Colombo has won the ISAC seven times which includes the inaugural and the next three years in running. Lyceum International School Wattala, the defending champions, has won the championship six times. They were the champions since 2010.

However the TISSL has taken a decision to discontinue the practice of awarding a championship for the overall winners of the ISAC, which has been happening for the past 14 years uninterruptedly. This, the organiser said, was decided with the intention of promoting healthy competition among the participating schools and to encourage wider participation of students from all schools.

The chief guest of the opening ceremony will be Seetha Kumari, the Vice President of Pearson’s Qualifications International, the main sponsors of ISAC 2015. The championship will be held from 8.00am to 6.00pm on all three days at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Pic by Nilan Maligaspe