Sports

ATHLETICS

Prefect of Games: Mr. Prabath Wijekoon

The Annual Inter House Sports Meet one of the much looked forward sporting events in the College calendar was held in 2020

despite the pandemic situation in the country, but unfortunately this event was held as an Athletic Meet in 2021 due to the worsening of the pandemic and economic crisis in the island. During this meet Keble House was the Champions while students who excelled in the meet got the opportunity to take part in the Zonal and Provincial Meets respectively.

This year saw the largest number of students who took part in the Zonal Meet which commenced recently. The Zonal Boys’ Championship was also won by our College while many were selected to take part in the Provincial Competitions. We hope that they would be able to bring many victories to the College and also represent the College in the All Island event as well. The students were also placed 3rd overall. Prior to these events during the Circuit Meet in 2020 the students were placed 1st in the Boys’ Championships while here too overall we were placed 3rd.

This certainly speaks volumes for our athletes as we look towards the future with brighter prospects.

INDOOR GAMES

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Thilak Jayasiri

The indoor games Badminton, Carom and Chess practices are held in a daily basis and students who wish to take part in any of the above could take part in practices.

The Indoor Games Tournament was held successfully from the 14th to the 24th of November. The Awards Ceremony was held on the 2nd of December 2022 at the Keble hall for which the Headmaster Rev. Father Christopher Balraj, and many other teachers participated.

S. Abisharman and Surath Bhanuka Ratnayake won the under 20 Championship Awards for two different game categories.

CHESS

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Anusha Chandrasekera

Coach: Mr. Nisal Perera

Chess Training programmes are conducted every Monday, as follows 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm Primary School students and 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm Senior Students.

The College Chess team took part in Zonal, District and All Island Level Competitions and performed remarkably well in both individual and team events.

The Thomian Chess players took part in the following tournaments:

* Sri Lanka Schools Chess Association (Individual and Team tournaments)
* Sri Lanka Chess Federation Tournaments
* National Youth Rapid Chess Championship
* National Youth Blitz Chess Championship
* Club tournaments conducted island wide

The College Chess team took part in the Uva Province Schools’ Chess Championship 2022 in the Individual Tournament and the Under 7, 9, 13 and 15 teams were placed Champions, the Under 11 team was placed 1st Runners up while the Under 20 team were placed 1st and 2nd Runners up.

We are very proud to mention that we have players who are included in the International ratings. They are:

Adeesha Thilakarathna ranked 1243
Nisal Thilakarathna ranked 1200
Sasindu Lankathilaka ranked 1183
Induwara Weerarathna ranked 1135
Niman Nawasinghe ranked 1052

Players represented Sri Lanka at the Common Wealth Youth Chess Championship Tournament 2022 which is the most significant event of the year where Adeesha Thilakarathna and Nisal Thilakarathna performed remarkably well. Adeesha Thilakarathna who took part in the Asian Schools' Chess Championship 2022 won a Gold Medal in the Under 15 age group.

TABLE TENNIS

Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Bertram Weerakoon

Youth Contender Table Tennis Challenge Tournament 2022 organized by the Sports Plus SC, Badulla was held at Shuttlers Badminton and Table Tennis Academy Indoor Stadium, Badulla. Savith Basnayake became Champion in the Open Men’s Singles, Adeesha Thilakarathna became Champion in the Under 17 and 19 events. Shavidu Thamodya won the Semi Finals.

Uva Province School’s Sports Games Table Tennis Tournament 2022 organized by the Uva Province Education Department was held at S. Thomas’ College Bandarawela. This was a Team Game Event. The Under 16 Team became Champions. The team players were Adeesha Dinal, Deshitha Dakshina, Sasith Induwara, Amrith Galagedera and Pavithra Karunaratne. The Under 18 team also became Champions. The team players were Sanura Adithya, Nadina Tennakoon, Nadith Dinuka, Sakith Amarasinghe and Geethanga Gimras. The Under 20 team became Runners up.

Inter School Table Tennis Championship 2022 organized by Sri Lanka Schools’ Table Tennis Association was held at S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. Members of the Under 14 “F” Division namely Nisal Thilakarathna, Aaraon Pawan and Saditha Rathnayake won the Championship. The Under 19 “E” Division won the 3rd place. The team players were Sanura Adithya, Adeesha Dinal, Deshitha Dakshina, Nadina Tennakoon. The Under 14 “G” Division won the 3rd place and played by Ramiru Bimsara, Yenuka Nethmira, Dilhan Gharuka and Janura Lithmina.

The Inter Schools’ Table Tennis Championship 2022 organized by Sri Lanka Table Tennis Association was held at the Municipal Council Indoor Stadium Kandy. Janura, Livesh and Sanditha played for the Under 12 team and won the 3rd place. Nadina, Deshitha, Adeesha, Sanur and Geethanga played for Under 18 team and won the 3rd place.

BADMINTON
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Thilak Jayasiri
Coach: Sahan Ratnayake

Although Badminton practices were held regularly, many tournaments were not held promptly over the past few years due to the pandemic situation. At such occasions Online Badminton training classes were held for which, a large number of students enthusiastically participated.

However, our players participated individually and as teams in some of the tournaments held. Consequently, Vidush Sumanadasa who competed in the under 17 category in the National Badminton Championship Tournament organized by the Sri Lanka Badminton Association qualified to play in the Semi-finals. Moreover, he was allowed to play in the League Tournament organized for the first time ever by the SLBA, representing the team, “Island Titus” which got the 4th place. He also won the under 19 Doubles, Runners Up Award at the Nuwara Eliya Open Tournament and the Championship Award in the category at the Open Tournament held in Anuradhapura. Even though he was selected to a team that got to play in the Qualifying Round of the World Championship Tournament held in Spain, he couldn’t be a part of it due to financial constraints.

The College under 17,18 and 20 Badminton teams won the Championship and the Runners Up Awards at the National Schools Provincial Tournament and the Uva Provincial Runners Up Award at the National Sports Tournament.

It is noteworthy to mention that the College under 19 team was promoted from “G” to “F” in Division - A at the tournament organized by Sri Lanka Schools Badminton Association.

We are proud to announce that there are 8 Thomian players in the Uva Provincial Training Squad of 20 under 15 Badminton players that was initiated on the 15th of November 2022 by the SLBA. Furthermore, 8 players became Assistant Referees and were awarded certificates to the effect at an Umpire Accreditation Course held on 16th November 2022.

The Uva Province Open Badminton tournament was held at college from 16th – 20th November with the participation of national level players as well as our players. It is with gratitude we mention that we got two synthetic badminton courts sponsored by Mr. Sam Akbar, a distinguished old boy of the College.

Mr. Tilak Jayasiri, the Vice President of the SLBA and the Teacher-in -Charge of the College Badminton teams is ardently working to uplift the game of Badminton in College and in the country at large.

RIFLE SHOOTING
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Denzil Darling

Rifle Shooting is an Olympic event and our aim is to produce students to be selected to take part in it.

This year D.L. Ruwain Ponweera and M.K.H.H. Mahakumarage participated in the Provincial Level Rifle Shooting meet held in Badulla organized by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Shooting Sports Association

FOOTBALL
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Praba Ganeshan

Over the years the game of Football has been one of the most prominent sports in the school history. During the year in review the Under 16, 18 and 20 teams did quite well in the Zonal and Provincial Level.

All three teams were the Zonal Champions in the Uva Region and Under 16 and 18 team went all the way up to the Semi Final in the Provincial Tournament.

At present practices are held on weekdays and after school at the College grounds. Apart from this our Under 12, 14 and 16 teams are looking forward to participating in the Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Federation Tournament in the near future.

RUGBY FOOTBALL
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Prabath Wijekoon

Over the years we have seen a rapid development in Rugby as over one hundred students attend regular practices. Unfortunately during the past few years our students were deprived of taking part in major tournaments due to the pandemic and economic crisis in our country.

The Under 20 ruggerites had the unique opportunity of taking part for the first time in the Under 20, 15 a side All Island League Tournament which was sponsored by Dialog was held at the Ratmalana Air Force Grounds in July. It was also quite impressive to see the strides they have taken as our students emerged 1st Runners up in this tournament. The same ride emerged 3rd in the Provincial Tournament and had the opportunity of taking part in the All Island Tournament as well.

The junior side also had the distinction of winning the Cup Championship in the Under 14 Division II, 7’s side Inter School Rugby Tournament which was played at the Koggala Free Trade Zone, Galle in November.

BASKETBALL
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Dilukshan Amirthanayagam

The Under 17 and 20 Basketball teams played in the Provincial matches and the Under 17 team became the 2nd Runners up while the Under 20 became the Champions. Both the teams were qualified for the All Island Basketball Tournament 2022.

The All Island Basketball matches were held in Colombo. The Under 17 team lost their match toLyceum College Wattala. The Under 20 team lost in their second round match which was with S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.

Since we have started practices now according to a schedule we expect more victories in the future.

CRICKET
Teachers-in-charge: Mr. Sunanda Ratnayake (Under 13)
Mrs. Anusha Chandrasekera (Under 15)
Mr. S. Surendrakumar (Under 17)
Mr. Ruwan Attanayake (Under 19 1st XI)

Coaches: Mr. Hemaka Ariyaratne
Mr. Indika Udayakumara

The Under 15 Cricket team took part in the All Island Inter School Cricket Tournament. The “A” Team (Division II) played two matches in the first round and recorded victories. In the second round match and Pre Quarter Final Match we won the 1st innings and played the Quarter Final Match.

The “B” Team (Division III) played three matches in the first round and recorded victories. The team won the 2nd and 3rd round matches in the first innings and played the pre quarter final match.

Nine players were selected to the District Team. Niksha Perera was selected to captain the Provincial Team.

The other players are:
Chiran Mindina Mahakumarage, Samod Kethaka Mapalagamage, Kethaka Kodithuwakku, Shimalka Mapalagamage, Prathikshan Jayaseelan, Thehara Rathnayake, Misel Lakshitha Silva and Dineth Pahasara.

The Under 17 Cricket Team played 3 matches in the Sri Lanka Schools’ Cricket Association Tournament Division III 1st round and won 2 and lost 1 and were selected to play for the 2nd round matches (knock out stage) The team played 4 matches and won all 4 and were qualified to the Quarter Finals.

The quarter final match was played against Wickramabahu N.S. Gampola at the District Cricket Grounds in Badulla and we lost the match.

The Under 17 team played 8 matches in total won 6 and lost 2. Two of our Under 17 players were selected for the District and Provincial Teams.

The Under 19 1st XI Cricket Team played under Division III Level I in 2021/2022 Tournament. Sri Lanka School Cricket Association organized 50 over tournament and we played 10 matches (4 tournament and 4 traditional matches) The team won 6 matches and qualified to play Quarter Final round.

The Under 19 Team played 4 tournament matches won 3 and lost 1. The Team won the pre Quarter Round against Wayamba Royal College Kurunegala.

KARATE CLUB
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. A. Mahendirrakumar

The College Karate Club conducts classes for its members every Wednesday and Friday. Our teams participated in the Uva Province School Karate Competition. Covid-19 Pandemic hindered most of our practices and we are working hard towards achieving our goals.

WUSHU
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Irantha Porage

Wushu a martial art and a sport derived from Traditional Chinese martial arts. The sport Wushu is categorized into two main categories namely Taolu (Routine competition-bear hand and weapons) and Sanda (Chinese kickboxing and wrestling-competition with protection equipment) Wushu has developed into various forms of practice of its own focus and goals. The practice of Wushu does not only develop a strong body but also a strong mind with high moral values as its practice focuses on martial ethics.

Training sessions are conducted every Mondays and Wednesdays and approximately 50 students have joined the Wushu team.

The College Wushu Team participated in the October 2022 Uva Province School Wushu Championship held in Badulla conducted by the Department of Education – Uva Province and won 4 Bronze medals. A player was selected for the All Island National School Wudhu games. Students participated in the Uva Province Wushu Festival Meet in Badulla Simon Pieris Indoor Stadium conducted by the Ministry of Sports and Uva Province Wushu Association.

SWIMMING
Teacher-in-charge: Mr. Shannon Dason

Although not one of the major sports in College there are around 40-50 students who attend practices at the Diyatalawa Army Academy and Badulla Swimming Complex.

Our swimmers had the opportunity of taking part in the Zonal and Provincial Competitions this year. Despite certain setbacks some of our students had the opportunity of performing quite well. We take this moment in expressing our gratitude to the army officials who from time to time took the moment to train our students by conducting swimming sessions and coaching camps.