Dinesh Priyantha Herath who created history when he claimed Sri Lanka’s first-ever gold medal in Paralympic history with a record-breaking performance at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo was adjudged the SILK Most Outstanding Sports Personality of the Year at the seventh annual Chance Sports SILK Sports Awards 2021 organized by SPORTSINFO; Presidential Awards winning, Sri Lanka’s premier sports promotion network and sponsored by The Chance Sports was held on 25th February at the National Film Corporation premises, Colombo 07.
Hon Minister of Youth & Sports Namal Rajapaksa was the chief guest while Sri Lanka Volleyball president, Vice President NOCSL Kanchana Jayarathne, Prof. Arjuna De Silva and Prof. Tudor Weerasinghe participated as the guests of honour.
Minister of Youth & Sports Namal Rajapaksa praised the contribution of SPORTSINFO for the field of Sports and pointed out the value of conducting the prestigious SILK Awards since 2015 for the upliftment of the field of sports in Sri Lanka.
SPORTSINFO honoured athletes who demonstrated exceptional talent, determination and dedication for the seventh consecutive year at the Chance Sports SILK Sports Awards 2021.
The Awards ceremony recognized and paid tribute to sportsmen and women on their achievements in 2021.
Awards were distributed under four major categories named major sports awards, sports excellence awards, sports contribution awards and special jury awards. Under the major award category, Sri Lanka’s veteran national athletic coaches Sunil Gunawardena & Badra Gunawardena were recognized with the prestigious Chance Sports SILK Lifetime Achievement Award. Former Sri Lankan athlete Talavou Alailima was also bestowed with the ‘Duncan White Award for Sports Excellence & Contribution’ award.
Sri Lanka’s No.01 T20 bowler, Wanindu Hasaranga won the SILK Most Popular Sports Personality of the year award, while nine-year-old Oshini Devindya Gunawardena who became the very first Sri Lankan, to win the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2021 in the under 10 girl’s category was named as the Most Outstanding School Sports Personality of the year.
Former Sri Lanka national record holder-turned javelin coach Pradeep Nishantha was awarded as the Lionel Mendis SILK Award for Outstanding Coaching & Guidance award. Veteran sports journalist Sa’adi Thawfeeq was honoured for his services in promoting sports in Sri Lanka with the ‘Bernie Wijesekera Award for Outstanding Contribution to Sports Journalism’ award.
Under International SILK Jury Awards category Allyson Felix of the USA was honoured as Most Outstanding Women’s Achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games while Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar honoured as the joint winners of Most Outstanding Men’s Achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
International Cricket Council (ICC) was considered for a SILK Special Jury Award for their outstanding contribution to promoting women’s sports by introducing strategy for global growth. The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) was also honoured for their outstanding dedication to hosting the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games during the global Covid-19 pandemic smoothly and effectively.
The Special Jury was co-headed by Dr. Harsha Abeykoon and Rear Admiral Prof. Shemal Fernando. Former veteran sports administrator Mr. Ana Punchihewa, Mr. Brendon KUruppu, Mr. Gamini Jayasinhe, Mr. Chandana Ekanayake, Dr. Seevali Jayawickrema and Mr. Upali Amarathunga were also participated for the final jury selections of the 7th Chance Sports SILK Sports Award 2021.
The Award winners of the 6th Virtual SILK Sports Awards 2020 were also honoured during the glamorous awards night.
Recipients of Major Sporting Awards:
SILK Major Sports Awards – 05
- SILK Lifetime Acheivement Award – Sunil Gunawardena and Badra Gunawardena
- Duncan White SILK Award For Sports Excellence & Contribution – Talavou Alaileema
- Lionel Mendis SILK Award For Outstanding Coaching & Guidance – Pradeep Nishantha
- SILK Most Outstanding Sports Personality Of The Year – Dinesh Priyantha Herath
- SILK Most Popular Sports Personality Of The Year – Wanidu Hasaranga
SILK Sports Excellence Awards – 02
- SILK Upcoming Sports Personality of the Year – Srimali Samarakoon
- SILK Most Outstanding School Sports Personality of the Year – Devindya Oshini Gunawardena
SILK Sports Contribution Awards – 05
- SILK Award For Most Outstanding Contribution to International Sports – Dilroy Fernando
- SILK Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Local Sports – Volleyball –Susil Ranasinghe
- Yogananda Wijesundara Award For Sports Management & Administration – Jaswar Umar – President, Sri Lanka Football
- Bernie Wijesekera Award For Outstanding Contribution To Sports Journalism – Sa’adi Thawfeeq
- SILK Outstanding Local Sports Brand of the Year –Royston Anton Thomas – W. Thomas & Sons Gun Care Centre
SILK Special Jury Awards for Local Sports – 04
- SILK Special Jury Award for Introducing Concept Of Player Referral System to ICC –Senaka Weeraratne
- SILK Special Jury Award For Emerging Prospects Athlete for the Powerlifting – Shenuki Dishalya Edirimuni
- SILK Special Jury Award for Most Outstanding Performer of the Year – Yupun Abeykoon
- SILK Special Jury Award for Emerging Future Leader in Cricket – Dunith Wellalage
SILK Special Jury Awards for International Sports – 04
- SILK Special Jury Award for Most Outstanding Women’s Achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Allyson Felix of the USA.
- SILK Special Jury Award for Most Outstanding Men’s Achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games – Joint Winners – Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy and Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qata
- SILK Special Jury Award for Most Outstanding Contribution for promoting women sports by introducing a strategy for global growth – International Cricket Council (ICC)
- SILK Special Jury Award for Most Outstanding Dedication to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games during the global Covid-19 pandemic by smoothly and effectively – Japan Olympic Committee