Delay in conducting Zonal Championships frustrates schools sports fraternity in Western Province

by Reemus Fernando

Thousands of school athletes in the Western Province have been waiting in vain for months not knowing exactly when their respective Divisional and Zonal Competitions would be held. While ‘lack of funds’ has forced a vast majority of education offices to cancel their Divisional Championships for the second consecutive year, all Zonal Education offices in the Western Province are yet to determine the dates for the Zonal Championships to the frustration of coaches, PTIs, athletes and their parents.

Zonal competitions are the first-round events of the Provincial and All Island Schools Games, from where the school athletes take their first steps in the journey towards national titles and international representation. The undue delay in conducting the vital sports event has not only hampered the progress of athletes but has also put in jeopardy the smooth functioning of the academic calendar in the Western Province.

“There are some eleven Zonal Offices in the Western Province. None of them have conducted their Zonal Championships to date. No one knows when they will be held,” a source close to the Department of Education in the Western Province told The Island.

That is in contrast to the affairs of their counterparts from other Provinces who have concluded their Zonal Competitions and are in the process of preparing for the next stage, the Provincial Competitions.

Generally, the Zonal Championships are held in May. According to the Sports Calendar prepared by the Ministry of Education (central government) for the year 2023, June 15 was the deadline to complete all Zonal Competitions.

Sources said that the respective Zonal education offices are yet to receive funds from the Department of Education of the Western Province to conduct their competitions. Many Zonal Education offices have prepared the groundwork to conduct the event as soon as they receive funds.

However, even if they receive funds they will not be able to conduct the events immediately as term tests will commence within a few days time.

Our attempts to contact Sirisoma Lokuwithana, the secretary of the Ministry of Education of the Western Province to inquire in this regard yesterday was futile

According to coaches and Physical Education Teachers, the number of students taking part in sports has dropped considerably this year due to economic constraints and the delays in conducting major sports events like the Zonal Competitions are likely to further discourage participation of students in sports.