A meeting between the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, and the Physical Education Diploma Teachers’ Association was held on Tuesday 30th September 2025, at the Governor’s Secretariat. During the discussion, the Association highlighted several issues concerning the development of the sports sector in the Northern Province.
“The participation rate of school students in sports is declining. Even those who do take part are often only allowed to continue until the GCE O/L . After school, many children attend private educational institutions, some of which require a letter from teachers confirming the students’ involvement in sports. Without such a letter, these institutions may not allow them to enroll. This demonstrates the significant influence of private educational institutions. We are not calling for their closure, but we urge the implementation of time restrictions to ensure that students have the opportunity to participate in sports,” the Physical Education Diploma Teachers’ Association stated.
Furthermore, the Association pointed out that certain school principals have been involved in impersonating athletes participating in provincial and national-level competitions. Despite clear identification of those responsible, no action has been taken, allowing the malpractice to persist. In some instances, impersonation has been confirmed at the national level, resulting in the disqualification of the Northern Province from competitions. The Association urged that disciplinary action be taken against the principals involved. In response, the Governor described the act as an unforgivable offense and assured that strict action would be taken against those found guilty.
The Association also raised concerns regarding the improper appointment of coaches in schools. In some cases, coaches are assigned to sports for which there are no student participants in the school, while schools with interested and capable students lack qualified coaches. A request was made to regulate and align coaching appointments with actual student interest and participation.
Additionally, the Association urged the prohibition of unhealthy snacks in school cafeterias, citing their negative impact on student health. They also highlighted the discontinuation of railway travel concessions previously granted to students participating in national-level sports competitions. As a result, students now face significant travel expenses.
The Association further pointed out that representatives from the Northern Province are not included in the planning of the national-level sports competition schedule. This lack of participation has contributed to the region falling behind on the national stage.
They also highlighted the shortage of sports equipment in rural schools and requested that appropriate resources be provided. However, they recommended that priority be given to schools that demonstrate performance at the provincial and national levels.
Additionally, the Association requested the Governor to consider introducing a dedicated Sports Week in the Northern Province and to reinstate the Sports Colour Night awards ceremony, which had been held in previous years. They also emphasized the urgent need for a synthetic track in the province to support athletic development and help northern students compete more effectively at higher levels.
The Governor assured that the concerns and proposals put forward by the Physical Education Diploma Teachers’ Association would be considered positively.
The discussion was attended by the President of the Association, Mr. P. Tharmakumaran, along with members Mr. Kanagarajah, Mr. Kugan, Ms. Kavitha, and Mr. Harikaran.
