18th Northern Province Sports Festival begins at Durayappah Stadium
“Sports are essential for physical and mental development. At the same time, the sports sector plays an important role in developing leadership qualities and a sense of brotherhood,” said the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
The 18th Northern Province Sports Festival, organized by the Provincial Department of Sports of the Northern Province, was inaugurated this morning – on Saturday 19 September 2026, at the Durayappah Stadium in Jaffna. The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, participated in the event as the Chief Guest and officially inaugurated the sports festival.
The guests who attended the event were welcomed with a band procession and escorted to the stadium. This was followed by the lighting of the traditional oil lamp, after which the Governor hoisted the National Flag. Subsequently, the sportsmen and sportswomen took part in a parade.
This was followed by the lighting of the Olympic torch and the oath-taking ceremony by the athletes. Subsequently, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province officially declared the 18th Provincial Sports Festival open.
In his speech as Chief Guest, the Governor stated that sports improve physical health while also developing mental strength. He further noted that through sports, one can develop various qualities such as respecting one another, working together, accepting leadership responsibilities and acting with a sense of brotherhood.
The Governor stated that various measures are continuously being taken for the development of the sports sector in the Northern Province and also said that, compared to previous years, the performance of the province’s sports sector has been progressing.
The Governor extended his best wishes that the sportsmen and sportswomen who have been performing well at the provincial level should achieve success at the national level in the future and emphasized the need to create the necessary opportunities for their talents to develop further.
Subsequently, the Governor awarded prizes to the districts that won in the provincial-level major sports competitions held during the current year.
On the opening day of this two day sports festival, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province N. Vethanayahan, the Secretary to the Governor Sivapathasundaram Sathiyaseelan, the Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Education M. Patrick Diranjan and Director of the Provincial Department of Sports – Northern Province G. Ehanthan participated as guests.
Sportsmen and sportswomen from all five districts of the Northern Province are participating in various competitions.
