St. Benedict’s Primary holds first-ever Relay Championship in Sri Lanka for juveniles
With a view to promote youngsters from ages as young as seven years to take a liking to athletics, St. Benedict’s Primary School held a Relay Carnival at the Sugathadasa Stadium recently with several invited schools, both boys and girls enthusiastically participating.
It was a joy to watch the little ones exchanging batons in relays for the first time and some hilarious instances of handing over the baton to the wrong athlete from another school, providing heartwarming and heartbreaking moments to excited and anxious parents. All in all it was a memorable experience for the young athletes, parents and spectators.
The boys schools that participated included De Mazenod College, Kandana, La Salle English School, Kotahena, St. Anthony’s National School, Wattala, St. Thomas’ Preparatory School, D.S.Senanayake College, De La Salle College, Mutwal and Wycherley International School. The hosts fielded three teams Bens ‘A’, Bens ‘B’ and Bens ‘C’. Among the girls’ schools, St. Bridget’s Convent, Good Shepherd Convent, St. Lawrence Convent and Gothami Balika
Vidyalaya participated. The Overall Boys Championship was narrowly won by De Mazenod College with 177 points, with Bens ‘A’ emerging runners-up followed by Bens ‘B’ coming in at third place.
The meet was conducted in true Olympic style with the lighting of the Olympic flame, unfurling of flags, singing of St. Benedict’s and national anthems with the college western band in attendance. The chief guest for the event was Sriyal de Silva, former St. Benedict’s athletic captain and Sri Lanka Schools coloursman.
After the events were completed, there were a few cultural items performed by the children of St. Benedict’s Primary which was followed by the prize distribution and the closing ceremony again in Olympic spirit. Rev. Bro. Pravin Vaz, the Sub Director of the St. Benedict’s Primary, Nuwan Abeywickrema, the master incharge and head coach, teacher in-charge of Primary athletics Ivone Mudunkotuwa, Primary Coach Luhith Fernando, Primary School teachers, prefects and the supportive parents all contributed with their abilities and expertise to make this event a success.