Inaugural netball match between Visakha Vidyalaya and Sujatha Vidyalaya

Tuesday, 26 March 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sujatha Vidyalaya captain Lilasha Kaushalya Managoda (centre left) and captain of Visakha Vidyalaya (centre right) with the trophy. Pushpa Kalubowila Principal Sujatha Vidyalaya (left) and Visakha Vidyalaya Principal Sandamali Aviruppola (right) are also in the picture

The Inaugural Motwani Challenge Shield netball match ‘Battle of the Golds’ between Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo and Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda will be played at Racecourse Grounds, Colombo-7 on 29 March at 9.00 a.m.

Sujatha Vidyalaya Principal Pushpa Kalubowila

Visakha Vidyalaya Principal Sandamali Aviruppola

This year the Battle of the Golds inaugural event is hosted by Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda, while next year it will be hosted by Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo, with each school taking turns to host the annual event from thereon. This is the curtain raiser for the annual encounter.

The challenge shield is named after Clara Motwani, who was the principal of both Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo and Sujatha Vidyalaya Nugegoda. Motwani served for 12 years as the principal of Visakha Vidyalaya, and Sujatha Vidyalaya for 23 years, and was the first principal of Sujatha Vidyalaya. The decision to name the Challenge Shield after Clara Motwani is a unanimous decision by both schools.

Visakha Vidyalaya and Sujatha Vidyalaya has taken this initiative to set a precedent among girls schools in Sri Lanka to develop sports and interschool sports encounters.

Visakha Vidyalaya Colombo will be captained by Upani Roopasinghe, while Lilasha Kaushalya Managoda will captain Sujatha Vidyalaya. In addition to the main Battle of the Golds netball match, the under-17 teams from both schools will also play a netball match for the under-17 Challenge Trophy. Tournaments of a similar nature in the future are expected to encourage the younger generation to participate more in the field of sports.

– Pix by Upul Abayasekara