RIYADH: Walawe House emerged champions at the Riyadh Sri Lankan International School Annual Inter-House Athletic Meet held Friday at the Al Hokair sports grounds here .
Saprullah Khan, deputy chief of mission of the Sri Lankan Embassy, was the chief guest, while SriLankan Airlines manager for central province Indunil Wijekone was the guest-of-honor at the annual track and field event attended by a large gathering including parents and students and prominent members of the community.
The overall champion challenge trophy went to Walawe House at the meet where more than 50 events were worked out . Champions from each age group were given trophies.
Speaking on the occasion , Khan pointed out that the competitions on the playing field give the participants an opportunity to learn from defeat as well as in victory.
“ Those who did not get awards should try to win them at a subsequent occasion and those who are victorious should not be content with their wins but they should be motivated to improve their skills and talents for the coming events.”
He also told the students that school days come to a man once in lifetime — it is a place where you cultivate good and unlearn bad habits. Therefore, he asked them to make use of the school as a platform to develop the best for their future career.
The diplomat said that the Sri Lankan International School in Riyadh was the first Sri Lankan school to be established abroad . “ It serves as an example not only to other Sri Lankan schools in the Kingdom but also to other island’s foreign schools spread out in several parts of the globe. He said the community is thankful to the people who formed this institution with the initiative of former Ambassador Aboobucker Lebbe Hashim who founded this school with the assistance of a few dedicated community members who were interested in the future of Sri Lankan children who were then staying in the capital.
Imran Haroon, acting chairman of the board of management of the school, told the parents to rally round the school to develop the institution.
“ It is sad to note that a few parents only turn up for the school meetings,” he said, adding that lack of parental cooperation could retard the progress of the school.
