Big Match Fever for women begins...

The ground echoed with noise and cheers to support their fellow mates at the inter school old girls sports meet. Five of the leading ladies schools in Colombo gathered to enjoy their inter school old girls sports meet on the international women’s day.

Past students from Holy Family, Ladies, Methodist, Musaeus, St Paul’s and Visakha gathered on the 8th of March at the Sports ministry grounds, Independence Square, Torrington. Past students and present students of all the five schools were dressed in different shades of Pink and blue as to represent their school.

This was the inaugural inter school old girls sports meet for women held in Sri Lanka and they look forward to have this meet every year after the participants’ requests. This event was organized by Flash Point, an Event management Company. The inspiration however, rose from the idea of big match fever held for boys every year by some of the leading schools.

“Only men have the chance to enjoy themselves in the events like big match but women do not have such events, so we thought it will be a good idea to organize such an event and it was warmly welcomed by the participants” said Nirupa Karunaratne, a partner of Flash Point, Event Management Company.

44 events were held at the inter school old girls sports meet under the age groups of 30, 40, 50, 60, over 60 and open events. TAG cycle relay, wheel relay, netball relay, swapping relay, hoop relay and rescue relay were some of the events.

Past students who left school before 30 years also participated at the meet. The audience were extremely cheering by waving their own school flags and drumming rap songs to cheer their fellow mates who took part in the events.

Ladies College, won the “Girl power invitational inter school old girls challenge trophy” leaving Holy Family and Muaues College respectively to second and third places. Yet, Muasaues College won the trophy for the cycle race at the inter school old girls sports meet which took place the previous week of the International Women’s day.

Women who participated in the sports meet were not only grown up in their ages and appearances but also in their responsibilities towards their families. Mothers, housewives, grandmothers whatever role they take in their life, whatever work they have on their heads, this day simply exists for them to enjoy with their fellow mates. The atmosphere seemed to be filled with younger school memories, cheers, and joy no matter who won the title.

“I am here because I love my school and I don’t think I could ignore such a sports meet which is obviously held for us”, said Navodya Vithanage, a past student of Ladies College.

“I am here to enjoy our inter school sports meet and I came back to my school after 30 years because of the love for my school”, says Kumudini De Silva, a Visakhian who left the school in 1977.

“I am really happy to be here with all my friends and past students of my school, I am wishing all the very best for my school to win the trophy”, said Nipuni Rupasinghe from Musaues College.

“We have chosen some girls schools in Pollonnaruva District to give water purification filters as we see they have a lesser chance to get pure water, so we had a plan to raise money for them to stop any Kidney disorders” said Nirupa Karunaratne, a partner of Flash Point, Event Management Company.

Most of the audiences said that another reason they are here is because they wanted to take a part in the charity program since the entrance tickets for the meet cost around 500 to 1000. The proceeds however, will be donated to purchase water purification filters to arrest Chronic Kidney Disorder in the North Central Province.