COLOMBO, BMICH | 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. It is Sri Lanka’s first national school sports award ceremony, recognizing the outstanding performances of the best of the best athletes of all sports. The SportUnleash School Sports Awards took place at the BMICH on the 24th of January 2024 at 5:30 p. m.
This brainchild of SPORTSINFO Chairman Thilan Rangana, backed by the former National Record holder and the Founder of SportUnleash and Power World Gyms Talavou Alailima, is the unique partnership that brought to life these Sports Awards, which is quickly becoming a prized event champion school athletes look forward to each year.
“Greats of the games aren’t created on the stroke of luck. Our talented athletes must be encouraged, supported, and nurtured. All performances and significant sports achievements will finally depend on the hard work invested by all stakeholders working together to raise Sports standards.
The importance of hosting such an important event emerged due to the need to motivate, value, and recognize upcoming school athletes and stakeholders to ensure the future success of Sri Lanka Sports.
We have seen only a few sports recognizing their best athletes for years. However, I believe that if Sri Lankan sports are to achieve their potential, we must honor 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.” Stated the National Sports Promoter, Mr. Thilan Rangana, Chairman of SPORTSINFO.
“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. Undoubtedly, these athletes will bring honor to Sri Lanka in the next ten years.
Identifying the best athletes in our schools through the SportUneash School Sports Awards is the first step of “Vision 2036,” which also launched at the award ceremony. In 2036, India is bidding for the Olympic Games, and as its neighbor, Sri Lanka must compete with honor 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 the 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 Talavou Alailima.
For 2024, the following athletes were awarded the Most Outstanding SportUnleash School Athlete Award for their sports performances in 2023.
- Athletics (Track Events) – Tharushi Karunaratne of A. Rathnayake Central College, Walala.
- Athletics (Field Events) – Nilupul Pehesara of Vijitha Central, Dikwella.
- Cricket – Shevon Daniel of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo 10.
- Swimming – Hiruki de Silva of Gateway College, Colombo 08.
- Beach Volleyball – Manuja Nisal of Davisamara Maha Vidyalaya, Kadana.
- Basketball – W. G. Isuru Weerakkodi of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo 07.
- Table Tennis – Bimandee Bandara of Hillwood College, Kandy.
- Rugby – Sudesh Jayawickrema of St. Peters College, Colombo 04.
- Netball – R. M. Chalani Neesha of Holy Family Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala
- Boxing – Y. V. M. Premarathne of S.Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia
- Tennis – Saajida Razick of Bishop’s College, Colombo.
- Badminton – Ranithma Liyanage of Christ Church Girls School, Baddegama.
- Karate – C. A. Tharuki Sasindi of Visaka Balika Vidyalaya, Sapugaskanda.
- Golf – Reshan Algama of Colombo International School.
- Chess – Ranindu Dilshan of Ananda College, Colombo 10.
- Wrestling – Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando of Walpella Sangarathana MV, Kurunegala.
- Squash – Nevindu Lakman of D. S. Senanayake College, Colombo 07.
- Shooting – Seja Dassanayake of 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 the year 2023. Ananda College of Colombo 10 and D. S. Senanayake College of Colombo 07 were joint winners of the Best Sports Schools award. The distinguished Jury panel for the SportUnleashed School Sports Awards 2024 were Co-Chairs, Director General of Sports, Prof. Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando and Dr. Harsha Abeykoon, and its members were the Director Sports of Ministry of Education Upali Amarathunga, Ana Punchihewa, Gamini Jayasinghe, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema, Chandana Ekanayake, Rtd. General Rohana Bandara and Brendon Kuruppu,
EXTRA NOTES:
The SportUnleash School Sports Awards is a powerful initiative to identify and recognize future star athletes in Sri Lanka school sports and dedicated contributors for their efforts in keeping the passion of sports alive in the hearts of millions of Sri Lankans.
Honoring athletes who displayed exceptional performances, determination, and dedication throughout the year, the SportUnleash School Sports Awards recognizes their contribution from many categories in a night of glitz, glamour, and celebration of their sports performances.
This annual School Sports Awards Ceremony will celebrate the most remarkable young emerging school athletes along with the most outstanding contributors to school sports in Sri Lanka throughout the year.
The SportUnleash School, Sports Awards recipients, are identified by a nomination panel voting with leading sports media and related personalities before a special jury panel chooses the eventual winners. The awards are given to the top-performing athletes in all school sports and contributors for the sports in Sri Lanka from the ongoing year under different award categories.
Apart from the major awards, sports excellence awards, sports contribution medals, and special jury medals, we will honor personalities across different sports for their excellence and significant contribution to the school sports field in Sri Lanka.
The leading Award is a Striving Human Figure Pursuing Excellence, depicting the effort required to achieve extraordinary performances.
