Catapulting school sports in Sri Lanka to the next level, Sportsinfo, together with the Institute of Sports Management (IOSM), staged the second ‘SportUnleash School Sports Awards 2024’.
This is Sri Lanka’s first national school sports award ceremony, recognising the outstanding performances of the best athletes of all sports.
The ‘SportUnleash School Sports Awards’ took place at the BMICH on Wednesday (24).
The awards are the brainchild of Sportsinfo Chairman Thilan Rangana, backed by former national record holder and SportUnleash and Power World Gyms Founder Talavou Alailima. Their partnership brought life to these awards, now a prized event that champion school athletes look forward to each year.
“Greats of the games aren’t created by a stroke of luck. Our talented athletes must be encouraged, supported, and nurtured. All performances and significant sports achievements depend on the hard work invested by all stakeholders working together to raise sports standards.
“The importance of hosting such an event emerged due to the need to motivate, value, and recognise upcoming school athletes and stakeholders to ensure the future success of Sri Lankan sports.
“We have seen only a few sports recognising their best athletes for years. However, I believe that if Sri Lankan sports are to achieve their potential, we must honour the performances of all school sports, as they are the cradle of our future national sports performances. We will strive each year to make this event a special day for our future national champions so that they are encouraged and hold the course, driving themselves to achieve their very best for Sri Lanka.
“We should appreciate what we have, before it becomes what we had,” said National Sports Promoter and Sportsinfo Chairman Rangana.
“If we plan to impact the world in sports, then we must identify the sports talent of our children at an early age and support them throughout their school sports journey. These winners were the best in 2023 and have proven their sports talent, resolve, determination, passion, and grit, tested by fire to be the best in their sport. These athletes will undoubtedly bring honour to Sri Lanka in the next 10 years.
“Identifying the best athletes in our schools through the ‘SportUneash School Sports Awards’ is the first step of ‘Vision 2036,’ which was also launched at the ceremony. In 2036, India is bidding for the Olympic Games, and as its neighbour, Sri Lanka must compete with honour and target to bring medals home at those games.
“The ‘Vision 2036’ initiative brings together all sports stakeholders into a structure that becomes laser-focused and nurtures champion athletes for the next 12 years. It is a structure not affected by the change of government, ministers, or officials of sports-governing federations. It is an independent, autonomous structure that will support and build champion athletes within a sustainable model while working with all stakeholders to see victory in 2036,” stated Alailima.
Athletes awarded the ‘Most Outstanding SportUnleash School Athlete’ award for their sports performances in 2023
- Athletics (track events): Tharushi Karunaratne, A. Rathnayake Central College, Walala
- Athletics (field events): Nilupul Pehesara, Vijitha Central, Dikwella
- Cricket: Shevon Daniel, St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10
- Swimming: Hiruki de Silva, Gateway College, Colombo 8
- Beach volleyball: Manuja Nisal, Davisamara Maha Vidyalaya, Kadana
- Basketball: W.G. Isuru Weerakkodi, D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7
- Table tennis: Bimandee Bandara, Hillwood College, Kandy
- Rugby: Sudesh Jayawickrema, St. Peter’s College, Colombo 4
- Netball: R.M. Chalani Neesha, Holy Family Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala
- Boxing: Y.V.M. Premarathne, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia
- Tennis: Saajida Razick, Bishop’s College, Colombo
- Badminton: Ranithma Liyanage, Christ Church Girls’ School, Baddegama
- Karate: C.A. Tharuki Sasindi, Visaka Balika Vidyalaya, Sapugaskanda
- Golf: Reshan Algama, Colombo International School
- Chess: Ranindu Dilshan, Ananda College, Colombo 10
- Wrestling: Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando, Walpella Sangarathana MV, Kurunegala
- Squash: Nevindu Lakman, D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7
- Shooting: Seja Dassanayake, Buddhist Ladies’ College
The Jury medals for sports excellence were awarded to Thehas Rithmitha of Ananda College, Susal de Silva of Nalanda College, Colombo 10, and Galina Basnayake of Lyceum International School for their noteworthy sports performance in 2023. Ananda College, Colombo 10 and D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo 7 were joint winners of the ‘Best Sports Schools’ award.
The distinguished jury panel for the ‘SportUnleashed School Sports Awards 2024’ comprised Co-Chairs Director General of Sports Rear Admiral Prof. Shemal Fernando and Dr. Harsha Abeykoon and members Education Ministry Director Sports Upali Amarathunga, Ana Punchihewa, Gamini Jayasinghe, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema, Chandana Ekanayake, (Retd) General Rohana Bandara, and Brendon Kuruppu.