NYSF Begins in Matara
October 25th : National Youth Sports Festival (NYSF) 2018 got underway on with the opening ceremony which was graced by Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe as the chief guest.
More than 3000 athletes set to take part in the three day competition schedule which begins today with 20 finals on cards where likes of Asian Junior Gold medalist Aruna Darshana , Silver medalist Pasindu Kodikara and Youth Olympic finalist Dilan Bogoda set to take part.
The Festival torch lighten by the best athletes of the last year’s competition.Triple-Jump National record holder Vidusha Lakshani and Long-Jumper Janaka Prasad Wimalasiri (over-20 men’s and women’s best athletes) join hands with Long-Jumper Malinga Fernando and Sprinter Amasha de Silva (under-20 men’s and women’s best athletes) to the task at Kotawila sports complex wchich host the 2016 National Sports Festival .
Over the years, there have been several levels of prizes for best athletes during the championships, where even a motor car was awarded to National record breakers. But sadly most of it has faded away apart from NYSF prizes, where four brand-new motor bikes are awarded to the four champion athletes (Men and Women over-20 and under-20 categories).
Due to the consistency of offering motor bikes, NYSF has become the favourite event of the year for many athletes. Also, there will be prizes of Rs. 50,000 for breaking a National record and Rs. 10,000 for breaking a Meet record.
NYSF has a specific set of rules where it is limited to athletes who are below 28 years of age, and an athlete who has won an event in a particular year, will not be eligible to compete in the same event the next year. This has given an opportunity to a wide range of athletes to excel over the years, unlike the same set of athletes in several other championships.
Apart from Athletics, Netball, Volleyball , Kabaddi and Football finals, too, will be held in Matara during this period.Gampaha District retained their title last year. This championship is being held after a lapse of 12 years in Matara this year. Opening ceremony graced by Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe, together with several other ministers.
