By Dhammika Ratnaweera
Western Province emerged overall champions with 101 gold medals, 86 silver and 76 bronze medals while Central and Southern Provinces with 46 and 31 gold medals won second and third places respectively at the 44th National Sports festival concluded at the Polonnaruwa National Stadium on Sunday (14) evening.
Overall second place was won by Central Province with 140 medals (46 gold, 41 silver, 53 bronze). Southern Province secured overall third place with 109 medals (31 gold, 34 silver, 44 bronze). Sabaragamuwa, North Western, North Central, Uva, Eastern and Northern provinces won overall fourth to ninth places respectively.
Charith Kapukotuwa was the only meet record holder at hammer throw event. Rumeshika Ratnayake of Sabaragamuwa and Vinod Suranjaya won both 100 and 200 meters to take sprint double.
Southern Province athlete Manjula Kumara who won the men’s high jump gold medal for the ninth consecutive time was adjudged the best male athlete of the meet. Hashini Praboda of North Western Province who won the women’s triple jump event was picked as the best female athlete.
Southern Province athletes dominated the athletics events by winning both men and women championships while Sabaragamuwa province won both men and women Kabbadi championships.
The award ceremony was held with President Maithripala Sirisena as the chief guest. Sports Minister Faiszer Musthapa, Sports State Minister Sriyani Wijewickrema and sports ministry officials were present on the occasion. The 45th National Sports Festival will be hosted by the Eastern Province.
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