The All-Island Kids Athletics competition for the Grade 3s and 4s took place from the 9th of March to the 11th of March at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy with around 6000 kids taking part in the tournament. Kids participated from 247 divisional levels, across 74 zonal levels and 7 provincial levels this time around. The tournament which was held for the third consecutive year was a huge success from day 01 as predicted.
The main aim of the tournament is to develop unity, team spirit, friendship and other character building qualities among children. The Ministry of Education introduced the tournament in 2015 and currently the program conducts team sports for the grades 3, 4, and 5 with the aim of improving Sri Lanka’s future in athletics.
The boys’ category was won by Ginigathhenna Maha Vidyalaya with a total of 422 points, followed up by Government Muslim Boys school from Akkareipattu in second place with a tally of 388 points. Ambagamuwa Primary School Hatton ended up in third with 384 points. The battle for the top spot was on from the on-set as both schools went head to head securing the first and second places in the individual events.
In the Girls’ Category, Kottawa Dharmapala Primary School won the title with 412 points followed up by Ambagamuwa Primary School and Udawalawa Primary School with 401 points and 372 points each.
In the mixed category, it was Vijeriya Primary School Embilipitiya who went away victors with 430 points. Nochchimoddai Vidyalaya Vavuniyawa followed them in second place with the 417 points and Alakolawewa Primary School Walapane won the third place with 411 points.
The respective Champion teams received awards from V.Radhkrishnan the Deputy Minister of Education. Mr.Sunil Jayaweera a Special Consultant Sports-Ministry of Education, Col Manjula Kariyawasam the Director of Sports Ministry of Education, Mr.Bandula Egodage the Vice President Corporate Affairs Nestle Lanka PLC and other Education Ministry officials were present at the event.
