Sports are an essential part of recreational activities for both locals and tourists. There are many Sri Lankan sports clubs around Colombo. School sports have been made a mandatory outdoor activity. Here are some of them.
Volleyball
Volleyball is the national sport of the country. It all started from Gampaha. It is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team’s court under organized rules. The team that wins the rally is awarded a point and serves the ball to start the next rally. The annual National Volleyball Tournament is played between schools and sports clubs in Sri Lanka.
Cricket
The most famous sport in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is one of the few countries in the world to excel in cricket after winning the 1996 World Cup. Many of the world-famous Sri Lankan players were cricketers. Cricket is a sport which is played between two teams of eleven players each who score runs (points). This is done by hitting the ball across the boundary, or by running between two sets of three small, wooden posts called wickets. The wickets are at each end of a rectangle of short grass called ‘the pitch’.
Rugby
Introduced to Sri Lanka by the British, it is common in Colombo and Kandy based schools. Rugby football is played on a field by two teams of 15 people. The objective of the game is to obtain more points than the opposing team within 80 minutes of playing time. Points are gained through scoring tries or kicking goals. Tournaments are usually held between schools and sports clubs.
Motor Sports
Motorsport is a global term used to encompass the group of competitive sporting events that primarily involve the use of motorized vehicles, whether for racing or non-racing competition. This sport is more famous among the youth of Sri Lanka. 4 x 4 rallies are the best way to explore Sri Lanka on wheels.
Water Sports
The tropical island of Sri Lanka is a great place for water-sports, with hundreds of miles of beaches and some major rivers offering the chance to soak up the sun and have fun. Here are more details about some popular water sports.
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- Surfing
- Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
- Kite Surfing
- Sailing
Arugam Bay, a Bohemian surfing town on the east coast, is world-class surfing for Sri Lanka. Further north, east coast, Pasikudah, etc. are best from June to October. From November to April the focus shifts to the southwest. Suitable for surfing in Weligama, Ahangama Hiriketiya as well as off the west coast of Hikkaduwa.
Sri Lankan scuba diving and snooker fishing have also helped to attract tourists and protect the tropical fish and coral reefs along the coast. There are several certified diving centers throughout the country. All the equipment you need from the hubs with a tour guide available. Pigeon Island north of Trincomalee on the east coast, Hikkaduwa on the southwest, and Kalpita on the northwest are some of the popular destinations.
Kalpitiya is famous among the enthusiasts of kite flying. Located in the northwest of Sri Lanka, the narrow beaches are located between the ocean and a large lagoon in Puttalam and enjoy wind for most of the year. These are the periods from May to October and again from mid-December to mid-March. There are also kitesurfing schools as well as training and equipment rental.
Anyone of the four beaches can travel at the right time of year. But it is imperative to ensure safe sea conditions and good weather before your trip. Active sailing is also available at Lake Bolgoda and Bentota in Sri Lanka.
