The Inter-Faculty Freshers’ Championship 2023

The University of Colombo organizes this tournament as a melting pot of skills and cultures. It is not about winning or losing but fostering a sense of belonging among newcomers. Participants from different academic backgrounds and cultures engage in friendly competition, breaking barriers and forming lasting connections that extend beyond the tournament grounds. As the academic year commences, the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship permeates the campus atmosphere. An event eagerly awaited by new students and faculty alike, the Inter-Faculty Freshers’ Tournament 2023 marks the celebration of talent, teamwork, and a vibrant sense of community within our academic institutions. This celebration of diversity is a testament to the rich environment that our institution represents.

The batch of 2022 is lucky enough to start their university life physically, however, there was a barrier in communication among the students. This tournament helped to create new bonds among the students. The Inter-Faculty Freshers’ Championship is more than just a series of sports competitions; it’s the celebration of diversity and unity. The Chairman of the Sports Advisory Board of our University, Mr. Kapila Bandara, and Mr. Sanjeewa Jayasinghe the acting Director of Physical Education took the lead in planning and conducting this tournament.The Inter-faculty Freshers’ Championship 2023 featured ten institutions from the University of Colombo, representing one campus, eight faculties, and one institute. The competition featured 26 different sports and lasted for 16 days. It went on from November 5th to December 3rd. More than 2000 first-year students competed intending to honor their respective faculty or institution. The success of this event was undeniable, attributed to several standout elements, notably the enthusiastic audience whose unwavering support added an electric atmosphere to the entire event. Additionally, the exceptional organization of the tournament ensured its seamless progression, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. Therefore, due credit must be extended to the Departmental heads, Team Captains, Vice Captains, and the Department of Physical Education for their pivotal roles in orchestrating this remarkable spectacle.

The first-year students of FMF enthusiastically engaged in this Championship, displaying dedication and wholeheartedness. The men’s team and the women’s team involved in various activities, committed themselves to multiple practice sessions, showcasing their diligence. Their hard work translated into commendable performances. Despite managing the studies for their second semester alongside tournament preparations, the FMF first-year students relentlessly aimed for the championship, delivering remarkable performances in several events. In addition to that, the invaluable support from senior members significantly contributed to our overall performance.The Inter-Faculty Freshers’ Championship Closing Ceremony took place on the 3rd of December 2023, from 3 pm onwards at the University of Colombo NAT Theatre, with Senior Professor H.D. Karunaratne the Vice-chancellor of University of Colombo serving as the Chief Guest. The Chairman of the Sports Advisory Board, Deans of the Faculties, Directors of institutes, the acting Director of Physical Education, Members of the Sports Advisory Board, and several guests graced the ceremony with their presence. The faculty of Management and Finance was declared as the overall champions after a tight 16 competitive days with 207.5 points. FMF had won 18 Championship awards, 09 runners-up awards, and 07 second runners-up awards in total. University of Colombo School of Computing was the Runner-up with 166 points while the Faculty of Science was the second Runner-up with 148 points. The men’s championship was won by the University of Colombo School of Computing and the women’s championship by the Faculty of Management and Finance.

The women’s FMF team indisputably emerged as the standout performers of the entire tournament. They won an astonishing 13 Championship awards, 3 Runners-up awards, and 1 Second Runners-up awards. They were the Champions in main sports such as Football, Indoor Rowing, Volleyball, Cricket, Swimming, Weightlifting, Beach Volleyball, Basketball, Carrom, Elle, Karate, Kabaddi and Netball. FMF won the Carrom Championship after 7 years and when it comes to the points table, FMF women consistently held a significant lead at the top. Consequently, the points accrued by the FMF women were pivotal in deciding the overall Championship of the Inter-Faculty Fresher’s Championship.This tournament stands as a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together, breaking barriers, and creating a cohesive campus environment. “NEVER STOP DOING GREAT”. Proud to say that we sustained the overall championship even in 2023. “The sweat; The time; The devotion; Paid off”.