The foundation stone was laid today (10th) for the construction of a fully-equipped new playground at Badulla Dharmadutha Vidyalaya under the School Playground Development Project, which is opening the doors for rural school athletes to achieve national and international sporting achievements.
This playground is scheduled to be constructed at a financial cost of Rs. 76.5 million.
The event, which was held under the patronage of the Governor of Uva Province, Attorney-at-Law Kapila Jayasekara, and the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathne, was attended by Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Dinindu Saman Hennayake, Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakarathne, Member of Parliament, Sudath Balagalla, public representatives, and Badulla District Secretary, Sunil Galagama, among other state officials.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathne, said that it was regrettable that the 135-year-old school, Dharmaduta Vidyalaya, does not have a playground.
The Minister also stated that more money will be allocated for the development of sports in rural areas from the financial provisions allocated for the Ministry of Sports next year.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Dinindu Saman Hennayake said, “A playground is a place where a child has their first victory. A place where they experience their first defeat. A place where they learn to get back up. A place where they learn to work as a team. A place where they learn discipline, dedication, patience and leadership. Therefore, I believe that the foundation stone laid for this playground today is a foundation stone laid for the future of our children.
Also, another child playing on this playground today can become a future doctor, engineer, teacher, scientist, entrepreneur or a responsible leader of this country. The one thing that is needed for all those dreams is opportunity. If a child with talent does not get an opportunity, that talent is lost to the country.
It is our responsibility to provide the necessary facilities to children living in rural areas, especially those who live in rural areas, to showcase their talent. That is why the program to develop school playgrounds across the country is very important.
A rich country is an economic A country is not just rich in terms of numbers. A country with healthy children, a talented youth, and opportunities to develop their talents is a truly rich country. Therefore, building a sports culture in the country is not just about producing players. It is about producing a healthy generation. Today is another special day for Dharmaduta Vidyalaya. This college will complete 135 years on August 21. 135 years is not a small time.
Therefore, this new playground, which we receive at the time of celebrating our 135th anniversary, will become a most valuable gift for the future generations of Dharmaduta Vidyalaya.” Deputy Minister of Sports Sugath Thilakaratne stated that this year, Rs. 500 million has been allocated for sports development activities in the Badulla district alone, and a program has been implemented to identify new athletes by developing sports facilities in rural areas.
A monthly nutritional allowance of Rs. 10,000 will be provided to school athletes through the Sports Shakthi program, while Rs. 210,000 will be provided to athletes at the Olympic level through the Mission Olympic program, and Rs. 100,000 will be provided to their coaches, the Deputy Minister of Sports said.
The Deputy Minister of Sports also stated that through all these activities, it is expected to take the country’s sports to the international level and make the dream of Olympic medals a reality.
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