The National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOC SL) organised the Asian Games Fun Run on 8 September at Mount Lavinia as part of the promotional campaign for the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya to be held next year.
The event featured cultural performances, traditional dancing, kite-surfing demonstrations, and kabaddi.
This marked the eighth Asian stopover of the Olympic Council of Asia’s (OCA) ‘Asian Games for All’ campaign, and the first Fun Run attended by OCA Director General Captain Husain Al Musallam.
“I thank the Sri Lanka NOC and the Government of Sri Lanka for hosting this Asian Games Fun Run. I thank all the participants, especially the youth, for turning up in their numbers and I thank you for your support,” Captain Al Musallam said.
The chief guest, Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage graced the occasion alongside distinguished dignitaries, including Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan to Sri Lanka Kamoshida Naoaki, Embassy of Japan Cultural Section Third Secretary Kawamoto Mioko, Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organising Committee (AINAGOC) PR and Media Director Fumihito Kanaizuka and senior officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports and the Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council.
The highlight of the day was the enthusiastic participation of schoolchildren from 15 schools in a Fun Run and a lively obstacle race, both of which were raucously cheered on by their peers.
Adding colour to the celebrations, a kite festival themed ‘Imagine One Asia’ also took place with over 65 children taking to the skies with their creations. The winners of these competitions were awarded prizes at the Fun Run.
Adding to the celebration, winners of the Asian Youth Reporter Programme were also recognised and presented with prizes, highlighting the OCA and NOC SL’s commitment to youth engagement and education through sport.
The festivities concluded with a spectacular cultural performance by the Sri Lanka Air Force Performing Arts troupe, depicting the life and traditions of Sri Lanka’s coastal communities.
The Asian Games Fun Run in Mount Lavinia stood as a testament to sport’s power to unite, inspire, and pave the way for Lanka’s journey to the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.