Gateway College, Colombo won the International Schools Athletic meet held at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo from the 22nd to the 24th of February. Gateway won by a margin of 179 points over last year’s winner Lyceum International, Wattala. ISAC which commenced in the year 2001, has been won 6 times by Gateway and once each by Lyceum and Colombo International School. The Composition of participation this year, that included 2250 athletes from 21 reputed International Schools saw Gateway emerging as overall champions with 989 points followed by Lyceum, Wattala (810 points), CIS, Colombo (537 points), Lyceum, Nugegoda (430 popints), Royal Instiutute (291 points), Asian International School (279 points), and Alethia International School (113). Gateway College was the overall relay champions as well.

Shehan Abeypitiya of Gateway College Colombo who established 3 new records (Under 19: 100mtrs – 10.67, 200 mtrs – 21.44 and 400 mtrs – 52.65) was named the best athlete of the meet.

Gayandi Ranabahu of Gateway College Colombo who established 2 new records (Under 19: 200 mtrs – 25.79 and Long Jump – 5.04 mtrs) was adjudged to be the best female athlete.

Other record holders included Rinusha Sharmila of AIS (Under 20: 100 mtrs and Long Jump), Gayan Dharmasiri of Gateway, Colombo (Under 20: High Jump and Hurdles), Dasitha Navaratne of Gateway, Kandy (Under 20: 200 mtrs), Udara Ratnayake of Gateway, Colombo (Under 19: 100 mtrs), Damien Fleming of Gateway, Colombo (Under 19: Javelin), Chamathka Kavindra of Gateway, Colombo (Under 17: Javelin), Hansini Kannangara of Gateway, Colombo (Under 17 Long Jump and Hurdles), Ashini Nanayakkara of CIS, Colombo (Under 17: 800 mtrs), Sajeed Jainulabdeen of Gateway, Colombo (Under 17: Discuss), Yokanth Ravichandrakumar of Lyceum Wattala (Under 17: Javelin), Ramesh Weerakoon of Gateway, Colombo (Under 17: Triple Jump), Nirma Sandaratne of Lyceum Wattala (Under 15: 200 mtrs), Sanjuna Sumanaweera of Royal Institute (Under 15: Shot Putt, Javelin and Discuss), Sara Laxila Karunapala of Lyceum Wattala (Under 13: High Jump), Genavi Caldera of Lyceum Wattala (Under 13: 200 mtrs), Shenoi Perera of OKI, Wattala (Under 13: Long Jump), Chamika Thalagalage of Lyceum Nugegoda (Under 11: 80 mtrs), Nishali Rebecca Silva of Lyceum Wattala (Under 9: 60 mtrs) and Rahel Kumarathunga of CIS Colombo (Under 9: 60 mtrs).

Since the inaugural competition, the standard of Athletics among International Schools have gradually advanced to an extent where several athletes have achieved National and Junior National Colors, thereby providing much required competition at National School and National Level meets. Edexcel International was the Principal Sponsor of the meet and John Keells Holdings and Ritzbury were co-sponsors. The entire meet that included colourful opening and closing ceremonies with march pasts, drill display, theme song, etc. and the use of the latest technology was organised by Gateway College, Colombo.

Last modified: 12 September 2008