SLUG2016 Olympic Torch Parade, Here We Start

Sri Lanka University Games (SLUG) is the highly expected Mega Sport event for the Sri Lanka Universities’ Athletes. This time Wayamba University of Sri Lanka hosts the SLUG-2016 with a big roar in their home ground from the 1st September to 13 September, 2016. More than 7000 athletes representing 14 Universities in Sri Lanka are going to take part in 36 Games of 22 disciplines.

The Olympic Flame is an important symbol of the Games, representing the Olympic Values of Friendship, Respect and Excellence. The torch is used to pass the flame from torch bearer of a university to another during the parade relay. Actually the Olympic Flame emphasizes the connection between the ancient games and the modern games in Olympics, but here the Flame connecting all the universities for Unity and Peace.

For the First time in the History of the SLUG, the 12th Sri Lanka University Games-2016 Olympic Parade Relay starts from the University of Jaffna Playground on 26 August 2016 (Friday) at 08:30. The Vice-chancellor of the Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Prof. S.J.B.A.Jayasekara and the Vice-chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. V.Arasaratnam are honoredas the Guest to the Ceremony.

The Olympic Flame will be carried by the University of Jaffna Athletes and lit on the Olympic Cauldron by the Honorable Guests. The Olympic Cauldron carried vehicle will lead the Parade followed by the University of Jaffna and other University Staff, Athletes, Former Athletes and well-wishers. The Parade from the University of Jaffna Ground, will reach the Palaly Road at Thirunelveli Junction and go up to the University of Jaffna Main Entrance. The Olympic Torch Carrying Parade will be sent off cheerfully for the Grand Opening of the SLUG-2016 from the Entrance of the University.

Olympic Cauldron carried vehicle will be driven towards the Kilinochchi Campus and Vavuniya Campus, University of Jaffna. Finally it will be welcomed by the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka on the same day by evening one kilometer ahead from the University. On the Day-2 (27 August 2016) the Olympic Cauldron carried vehicle will visit to the East – Eastern University of Sri Lanka and South Eastern University of Sri Lanka.

On the following day (28 August 2016) Torch will be carried to the Sabragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. On the Day 4 (29 August 2016), the Olympic Torch will reach to the very bottom of the Sri Lanka (West) – University of Ruhuna. On the 30 August 2016 the next visit will be to the last two SLUG hosted Universities -University of Moratuwa (in 2013) and University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka (in 2010) and finally on the same day it will be welcomed by the University of Colombo. From the South, on the Day 6 (31 August 2016) the Olympic Cauldron vehicle will travel to the University of Kelaniya and reach the Central Province – University of Peradeniya.

The Flame from the top of Sri Lanka will be taken to the SLUG-2016 Host University – WAYAMBA UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA on the Day 7. From onwards, the time will start for the athletes and the students to cheer their universities.

May SLUG2016 bring the Glory of Sports to Our Mother Sri Lanka…!

Mr. S. Gobinath,
Former President, Sports Council,
University of Jaffna.