The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, assured that the legitimate grievances of the athletes would be addressed and that the Colors Night Award Ceremony would be held without further interruption.
Organized by the Northern Provincial Sports Department, the “Colors Night – 2025” event, which honors sportsmen and women who have achieved success at the national level, was held in a grand manner this evening – on Wednesday 04 March 2026, at the Chavakachcheri Golden Jubilee Hall.
The Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, attended the event as the Chief Guest and honored athletes who had made their mark at the national level by presenting them with awards and cash prizes.
The event commenced with a welcome address by the Director of the Department of Sports, B. Muhunthan, followed by a keynote address by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, M. Patrick Diranjan. A total of 95 athletes and their coaches who have achieved success at the national level were honored during the ceremony.
In individual sports, first-place winners were awarded Rs. 100,000, second-place winners Rs. 60,000, and third-place winners Rs. 30,000. In team sports, each player of the first-place team received Rs. 20,000, while players of the second- and third-place teams were awarded Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively. In addition, coaches who trained athletes achieving record-breaking performances were also recognized, with cash prizes of Rs. 20,000, Rs. 15,000, and Rs. 10,000 awarded to the coaches of the first-, second-, and third-place winners respectively.
Delivering a special address while presenting the awards, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, openly acknowledged the shortcomings of the past and offered several new assurances to the athletes. He noted that the suspension of the Colors night Award Ceremony after 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis must have been a major disappointment for athletes. The Governor assured that the award ceremony would continue in the future without any further interruptions.
Highlighting the province’s achievements with pride, N. Vethanayahan noted that until 2024 the province had secured a maximum of five gold medals, but in 2025 athletes created history by winning eight gold medals in football, boxing, and athletics. He also specially praised the remarkable achievement of Puvitharan, who has continuously held the national record in the Pole Vault event, stating that the accomplishment has brought great honor to the province.
Addressing the shortcomings and grievances raised by athletes, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, stated that he had carefully listened to the constructive criticisms regarding discrepancies in prize money, the shortage of officials, and the lack of transportation and uniform facilities. He emphasized that it is the responsibility of officials to examine why athletes who have achieved success at the national level sometimes fail to participate in subsequent competitions. Acknowledging that the athletes’ concerns were fully justified, the Governor announced that an open discussion involving players, coaches, and officials would be held under his leadership immediately after the event to reach appropriate decisions. He further noted that he had already instructed the relevant authorities to review and increase the nutritional allowance provided to athletes without delay.
Emphasizing the significance of sports, the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan, remarked that today sports is not merely a form of entertainment but a respected profession. He highlighted that talented athletes are being recruited by the security forces and commercial institutions, while the government is giving top priority to establishing international-standard sports grounds and indoor stadiums. He urged the athletes to make full use of these opportunities to develop their skills and achieve greater success.
The Governor also made an important appeal to parents, stating that one of the main reasons today’s youth face social challenges is the lack of adequate opportunities to engage in play and sports. He emphasized that education alone cannot shape a complete individual, while sports help develop leadership qualities and the mindset needed to confront social challenges. He urged parents to guide their children towards sports rather than pressuring them solely with “study… study…,” as sports provide a healthy outlet and relieve stress.
The Additional District Secretary of the Jaffna District Secretariat, the Divisional Secretary of Chavakachcheri, the Assistant Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Education, the Internal Auditor of the Northern Province, the Assistant Director of the Provincial Department of Cultural Affairs, sports officials, players, coaches, parents and many others participated in this event.
