MANJULA AND HASINI BEST ATHLETES AT NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL
Charith Kapukotuwa stripped of Gold Medal
Manjula Kumara Wijesekera and Hasini Praboda were named Best Athletes in the Men’s and Women’s Championship respectively at the 44th National Sports Festival Athletics Meet which concluded at the National Stadium in Polonnaruwa yesterday.
The veteran athlete from Southern Province (SP) had the satisfaction of winning the Gold Medal in the Men’s High Jump event for the 10th time and went on to retain the title for the ninth successive year.
His performance was even more significant considering the fact that he was able to win the Best Athlete Award at the National Sports Festival for the sixth year.
Hasini representing North Western Province (NWP) won the Best Athlete Award following her excellent performance in the Women’s Triple Jump (13.26m).
Meanwhile, Charith Kapukotuwa of North Western Province (NWP) was stripped of his Men’s Shot Put Gold Medal in a controversial manner.
The US based athlete was found guilty and not eligible to represent his Province after a protest lodged by the authorities from the Southern Province.
However, Kapukotuwa was able to retain the Gold Medal in the Men’s Hammer Throw and the Discus Throw events as the protest was lodged after the stipulated time frame.
SP dominated the track and field events as they clinched the Men’s and the Women’s title while pushing the favourites Western Province (WP) into second place.
The SP Men’s Team collected a total of six Gold Medals, three Silver Medals and four Bronze Medals while the Women’s Team won seven Gold Medals, eight Bronze Medals and four Silver Medals.
However, the Overall Championship and the President’s Trophy went to WP once again with a tally of 101 Gold Medals, 86 Silver Medals and 76 Bronze Medals.
Central Province (CP) emerged runners-up with 46 Gold Medals, 41 Silver Medals and 53 Bronze Medals while SP were placed third with 31 Gold Medals, 34 Silver Medals and 44 Bronze Medals.