Defending champions Hindu National College Matale, with an aggregate of 139 points, retained the boys overall athletic title for the second consecutive year at the Matale Zonal Track and Field Meet 2023 concluded at the Hindu National College grounds in Matale last week.   

St. Thomas' College Matale finished second with 80 points followed by Weera Parakrama Maha Vidyalaya Yatawatte in third place with a tally of 60 points.

The five-day meet conducted by the sports education unit of Matale zonal education office saw the participation of over 2500 athletes (boys and girls) representing the schools in the four divisions Rattota, Yatawatte, Ukuwela and Matale that comes under its purview.

Hindu College athletes displayed their superiority in the boys under-12, under-14 and under-18 segments and in the relays.

S. Jananandren who won the boys under-12 long jump with a leap of 3.92 metres. A Thammesh was the winner in the boys under-14 shot putt (9.62 m) and S. Sivamanojan won the under-18 high jump with a jump over 1.76 metres. These three were adjudged as the best athletes in their respective age groups.

Hindu College athletes had the honour of winning both junior and senior boys relay championships. Mahesh Preethiwardane is the athletic coach of the school. 

Central Provincial Director of Education (sports) Athula Jayawardane was the chief guest with Matale Zonal Education Director Wijeyanthi Jayasooriya as the guest of honour at the presentation ceremony.