Good returns for achievers
The National Youth Service Council ( NYSC) has decided that the best athletes in two categories – men and women – are to be awarded four motorcycles at the 29th National Youth Games to be held in Anuradhapura from September 27 to 30.
If an athlete lowers a Sri Lankan record, he or she will be in line for a cash award of Rs. 50,000. If a meet record is lowered that athlete will receive Rs. 10,000.
The overall championship winner will receive Rs. 150,000/-. The overall runner- up will receive Rs. 100,000/-.
Those who won the best performance in athletics – in two categories (men and women) at the Badulla Games (2016) will light the 2017 Olympic Torch. In this regard B. M. M. Probhoda of Puttalam, Vinodhini Nishanthika Lakmali of Anuradhapura, H. T. U. Tivanka Perera of Gampaha and P.A. Chamil Lakshitha Kumara of Anuradhapura have been selected to light the Olympic Torch.
Eleven sports have been included to the Sports Fe s t ival. Last year Gampaha District was the overall champions and Colombo District was the overall runners-up.
The two categories are: Under 20 men and women, Over 20 men and women. Nearly 3000 athletes will take part in the athletic championships where 64 events are to be worked off.
The National Youth Games are being staged in Anuradhapura after a lapse of 11 years. In parallel to athletics there is Volleyball ( men and women), Netball (men and women), Kabbadi ( men and women), Tug- O- War ( men and women) and Football (men).