Gampaha District emerge overall champions

By Susil Premalal reporting from Matara

Gampaha District retained the overall title for the fourth successive year at the 30th National Youth Games which concluded at the Kotawila Stadium in Matara yesterday (28).

Gampaha District dominated the four-day meet and went on to finish on top with a tally of 152 points, well ahead of the runners-up Puttalam District (88 points).

However, the Over-20 Best Athlete Award for Men’s went to Amila Jayasiri from Puttalam District for his fine performance of 7.23 metres in the Long Jump event.

The Over-20 Best Athlete Award for Women’s was won by Nadeesha Ramanayake of Hambantota District for her performance of 54.452 seconds in the 400m final.

Meanwhile, Aruna Darshana of Matale District and Himasha Cooray of Urban Youth were selected as the Best Athlete in the Under-20 Boys’ and Girls’ Championship respectively.

Results (finals):

10,000m Boys’ Under-20: 1, Chaminda Kumara (Badulla) 34:57.16s 2. J. A. J. T. Jayakody (Kurunegala) 35:18.42s 3. S. Kinthusan (Vavuniya) 35:20.51s.

5,000m Girls’ Under-20: 1, R. A. L. Maduwanthi (Ratnapura) 19:38.6s 2. K. S. Dilshani (Matara) 19:46.9s 3. G. V. A. A. S. Sithara (Kandy) 19:48.2s.

Discus Throw Boys’ Under-20: 1, W. M. A. M. Malintha (Puttalam) 38.70m 2. Kavindu Hiranya (Gampaha) 34.79m 3. D. M. K. N. Dissanayake (Anuradhapura) 34.71m.

Triple Jump Girls’ Under-20: 1, Himasha Cooray (Urban Youth) 11.95m 2. Rashmi Niroda (Matara) 11.80m 3. Nethmi Megawarna (Hambantota) 11.64m.

100m Women’s Over-20: 1, Sachin Udeshika (Gampha) 12.58s 2, T. A. Muthukumaran (Monaragala) 12.68s 3. W. S. H. Fernando (Puttalam) 13.28s.

100m Boys’ Under-20: 1, Nimesh Chathuranga (Gampha) 11.41s 2, Suraj Kavinda (Kalutara) 11.45s 3. Tharushka Bhasitha (Hambantota) 11.66s.

100m Men’s Over-20: 1, K. S. L. Wickramasinghe (Hambantota) 11.24s 2, Sachith Perera (Colombo) 11.59s 3, M. P. H. L. Minimuthu (Kegalle) 11.68s.

100m Girls’ Under-20: 1 F. S. Yamik (Kandy) 12.57s 2. Sadeepa Henderson (Gampha) 12.78s 3. K. K. N. Nethmini (Colombo) 13.74s.

Triple Jump Under-20 Boys’: 1. B. G. M. H. Jayatissa (Colombo) 16.62m 2. Sadun Krishantha (Gampha) 14.29m 3. G. A. K. Jayabandara (Kurunegala) 13.93.

Records:

High Jump Boys’ - Tharindu Dasun (Galle) 2.12m.

200m Boys’ - S. P. A. Darshana (Matale) 21.33s. 800m Boys’ - R. P. I. Lakshan (Puttalam) 1:55.20s.

400m Boys’ - P. M. P. L. Kodikara (Kurunegala) 48.58s.

Over-20 Women’s Long Jump - A. Pulwansa (Colombo) 5.96m.

Under-20 Girls’ 100m Hurdles - N. G. P. R. Gunathilaka (Kegalle) 15.24s.

Team Events:

Netball (Women’s)

Champions: Kalutara.

Runners-up: Kandy.

Netball (Men’s)

Champions: Kegalle.

Runners-up: Monaragala.

Kabaddi (Women’s)

Champions: Batticaloa.

Runners-up: Galle.

Kabaddi (Men’s)

Champions: Kegalle.

Runners-up: Anuradhapura.

Volleyball (Men’s)

Champions: Kegalle.

Runners-up: Gampha.

Volleyball (Women’s)

Champions: Kegalle.

Runners-up: Hambantota.

Tug-of-War (Men’s)

Champions: Colombo.

Runners-up: Anuradhapura.

Tug-of-War (Women’s)

Champions: Gampha.

Best Performances:

Under-20 Best Athlete Girls’: Himasha Cooray (Urban Youth).

Under-20 Best Athlete Boys’: Aruna Darshana (Matale).

Over-20 Best Athlete Women’s: Nadeesha Ramanayake (Hambantota).

Over-20 Best Athlete Men’s: Amila Jayasiri (Puttalam).

Overall Championship:

Winner: Gampaha District

Runners-up: Puttalam District