Nalanda celebrates 100 years with Sri Lanka’s biggest invitational school sports fiesta

In celebration of the historic Centenary of Nalanda College (1925–2025), Nalanda College, together with the Old Nalandians’ Sports Club (ONSC announced today the Nalanda Centennial Sports Fiesta 2026—a landmark 17-day invitational inter-school sporting festival that will bring together leading schools from across Sri Lanka in a celebration of sporting excellence, friendship and youth development.

Organized as one of the flagship events of the College’s centenary celebrations, the Sports Fiesta aims to celebrate Nalanda’s proud sporting legacy while strengthening the sporting culture within the College and providing a first-class competitive platform for school athletes.

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The tournament will be conducted in two phases to accommodate the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination schedule.

The first phase will commence with the T10 Cricket Tournament on 30 & 31 July 2026, followed by the 9-a-Side Football Fiesta on 6 & 7 August 2026.

The second phase will commence immediately after the completion of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination paper marking process, featuring the remaining sporting disciplines.

The Sports Fiesta will feature ten sporting disciplines:

1. Athletics    Basketball     3. Boxing          4. Cricket              5. Football
2. Hockey 7. Rugby            8. Swimming    9. Water Polo     10. Western Brass Band

More than 2,600 athletes representing leading boys’ and girls’ schools are expected to participate, while the festival is anticipated to attract over 10,000 spectators and physical participants during the 17-day event.

The entire tournament will be broadcast live on ThePapare TV, enabling sports fans, alumni and well-wishers across Sri Lanka and around the world to follow every moment of this historic sporting festival.

The Nalanda Centennial Sports Fiesta is also a significant initiative to support the future development of sports at Nalanda College. All proceeds from the event will be directed towards the enhancement of sports infrastructure and athlete development programmes.

Importantly, no registration fees will be charged from any invited school, ensuring equal opportunities for participation regardless of financial considerations. The entire event is funded by the Old Nalandians’ Sports Club through the generous support of corporate sponsors, alumni and well-wishers, with no financial burden placed on participating schools.

The Organising Committee warmly invites the corporate sector, alumni, sports lovers and the general public to partner with and support this once-in-a-century celebration, which promises to become one of Sri Lanka’s premier annual school sporting festivals.