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“Explosive encounters, electrifying competitiveness and three phases of unmatched exhilaration…” These are just a few thoughts that are remembered of the annual IIT sports meet of 2009 that was presented under the tagline “Feel the Exhilaration” and was organized by the Students Union of 08/09.

The IIT sports meet is an annual event and each year the organizing committee strives to take it to the next level. This year, the organizers started the event through an “Opening Ceremony” whereby the sports meet was officially declared open and attempted to empower students to go that extra step, run the extra mile and strive with their last ounce of courage to achieve their target. It teased them into wanting to feel the ‘Excitement’, the ‘Elation’ and feel the ‘Ecstasy of Victory’ while upholding values such as ‘Honesty’ and ‘Sportsmanship’ to the highest degree possible.

In addition to the above, the sports meet was carried out in three separate phases each of which are outlined below.

Phase 1: The Invitational Basketball Tournament

One of the focal points of this year’s sports meet was the “Invitational Basketball Tournament”. Six different institutes participated strengthening the bond between various institutes and enabling students to make new friends and participate at a higher level. The teams that participated were as follows:

• Informatics Institute of Technology - IIT

• Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology – SLIIT

• Asia Pacific Institute of Information Technology – APIIT

• American National College – ANC

• Australian College of Business and Technology – ACBT

• International College of Business and Technology – ICBT

Of these teams, ACBT emerged champions with our very own team here at IIT emerging runners up. The team comprises of Jayan Rajakaruna, Geethika Cooray, Minura Malaka Maddage, Ranika Amarasena,Sheran Corera, Stefan Anthony, Dishan Mohandas, Niluksha Bazzty Bastiansz, Hellanger Kulatunga, Avindra Peiris, Suran Ravindu De Silva, Omersha Zahirsha, Ashanka Randeniya and Shoib Hussain.

Phase 2: The IIT Inter-House Sports Meet 2009

The “IIT Inter-House Sports Meet 2009” was launched as the second phase and sported eleven events, namely, Cricket, Rugby, Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Carom, Table Tennis, Badminton, Athletics, Netball and Counter Strike (CS). The concept of awarding challenge shields was introduced for the first time at IIT and seven challenge shields were awarded, each of which could be used for a period of eight years.

Phase 3: The Awards Night

Explosive encounters, electrifying competitiveness and three phases of unmatched exhilaration climaxed by paying tribute to those who outwitted, outplayed and outlasted. Phase 3 titled “The Awards Night” was another first timer in the history of IIT as it conveyed the true magic of the sports meet through music, lighting, presentations and awards.

During the awards night, certificates, medals, challenge shields and the Mr. Gamini Wickremasinghe Challenge trophy was awarded to “Gamini” house, which emerged champions of the event.

Reminiscing back on the event, I would say as both an organizer and a participant that the road has been long, and the journey hard; we’ve had our differences, but somehow, we’ve all managed to carry our burdens, manage our workloads, accomplish the tasks set out and succeeded in pulling off a brilliant sports meet. And now that it’s all over I wonder and think to myself, “Was it all really worth it?” and smile without even knowing the answer. Why? Because the moments we shared, the friends we made, and memories we have would definitely last a lifetime. Not only did we learn valuable lessons in life such as teamwork and sportsmanship, it truly motivated us to think not just as average individuals, but as visionaries who by experience knew that with passion, determination, endurance, perseverance and dedication, the lengths of our achievements and the height of our accomplishments are limitless.