The escalating number of Coronavirus cases has affected all major sporting events in and around Kandy.
Sports in Kandy plays a significant role in the lives of the folks living here, representing all races in the island Sinhalese, Muslims, Tamils, Burghers, Malays and also foreigners.
At one time all sports were popular but not today. In the early days, football, volleyball and cricket were very popular.
Kandy have established a proud record of having produced some of the top most sportsmen/sportswomen in cricket, football, rugby, hockey, athletics, table tennis, iron sports, boxing, swimming, basketball, cue game, golf, volleyball, carrom, chess and baseball.
Today, rugby football is the most popular sport in Kandy. Schools like Vidyartha, Kingswood, Trinity, Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester’s, St. Anthony’s, Wariyapola Sri Sumangala MV and Sri Rahula College are the leading schools.
In addition, Kandy SC are on top due to the good work of the players.
Meanwhile, the Central Province Rugby Union had their AGM on a virtual platform because of the pandemic.
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| Asgiriya Stadium is a popular venue for cricket |
Overall, Kandy football is dead and virtually buried. It has been tagged the common man’s game, and one time the sport in Kandy saw huge crowds witnessing and had stakeholders. It is not so today. Sad to say in the last couple of years football has gone ‘off side’ and most of the players are losing interest as there is no recognition nor any support or encouragement to take this game forward.
From 2017, the Kandy AFGL AGM has not been held.
Cricket continues to take pride of place at school and club level. The KDCA Committee is providing their best support with the support coming from CPCA.
Hockey is quite healthy and successful with most of the schools, especially Girls’ Schools dominating the game.
Billiards and snooker has taken a nosedive with hardly any activity. It was a sport which was once dominated by Kandy.
Former glory
Basketball has got back to its former glory and schools are giving a big boost to the game in a good fashion.
It was in 1964 that basketball was introduced to Kandy. The first ever tournament in Kandy was held in 1965 for Men and Women.
Table tennis is very popular and there is some hope as there are many schools and clubs who are capable of doing well.
The late D. H. de Silva, when he was the Municipal Commissioner, provided good support for the sport.
Badminton is somewhat lacking in interest and something must be done to uplift the game. There are not many coaches and should the schools take to the sport, the game can pick up.
Tennis was one time a very popular sport in Kandy. It was the Kandy Lawn Cub, Kandy Garden Club, University of Peradeniya and Kandy Police who took to the sport during the late DIG Bodi Liyanage’s time.
Schools like Trinity, Girls’ High School and Hillwood College were involved in a big way. A big hand should go to former Municipal Commissioner and All-Ceylon cricketer the late D. H. de Silva who was a livewire and produced some top players using the Garden Club Courts.
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| The Bogambara Ground is deserted |
But sad to say today, this sport has more or less lost its identity. The swimmers are doing well and they have proved it by winning many meets.
Trinity, Mahamaya and Hillwood have excelled in the water sport.
Boxing remains popular among the schools. One time king-makers of the sport were Trinity and later St. Sylvester’s followed by Peradeniya MMV and Sarasavi Uyana.
Out of late, schools like Vidyartha, Kingswood and Dharmaraja have taken to the sport and are doing well.
Wrestling was at its best at club level and Kandy YMCA promoted it. It is good to see Walala A. Ratnayake Central doing well.
Iron sport
Kandy YMCA gave a big hand for iron sport (bodybuilding and weightlifting) and helped several iron sportsmen to do well and bring honour to the country. Today, some of the schools are also involved in the sport.
Baseball is catching up fast and some of the schools are keen to promote it thanks to the efforts of the promoters.
Golf is popular mainly due to the promotion given and the tournaments are organised as scheduled.
Volleyball is 100 years old in the country and over 75 years old in Kandy. It is the national sport and at a certain time volleyball was a popular game.
Today, the much needed support is not there for the game. If the proper backing is given, this game too, should be in the news.
Netball in Kandy are doing well and have taken part in most of the tournaments organised by the governing body.
It was Kandy Girls’ High School which started the sport first followed by Hillwood College and all schools take the sport seriously. Athletics in Kandy have their curriculum and are doing very well in this field but sad to say this year no school has had their Inter-House Sports Meet due to the present situation.
Cycling has been popular in Kandy and there have been races on many occasions. For it to be competitive there has to be sponsorships which are lacking.
Chess has been popular at schools for quite a long period. Schools are doing extremely well and today, this is the only sport to be active online.
Carrom is a popular sport in Kandy, mostly played by the government departments. This is a recreation sport. Kandy’s Carrom Association gives a big hand to promote the sport.
Softball cricket is very popular in Kandy and every Sunday and on Poya Days tournaments are being conducted.
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