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| Sunday, 4 May 2003 |
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Newcomers Navy - a force to reckon with in rowing by LESLIE FERNANDO Sri Lanka Navy oarsmen who put up a splendid performances to carry away the Royal Colombo Yacht Club (RCYC) Trophy, Centenary Oars Trophy and the Wardrop Trophy at the Colombo Rowing Club Regatta held on the Beira Lake recently are making every effort to come on top at the Rowing National Championships conducted by the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL) to be held in August. The Sailors have been showing significant progress in the sport said Saliya Wijesekera the coach of the Sri Lanka Navy rowing team. Saliya, a former Royal College oarsmen, who rowed for college from 1989 to 1991, predicts a good future for the Sailors. Their ambition is to perform well at the National Championships and come on par with the rowers from Colombo Rowing Club, Royal College and S. Thomas College Mt. Lavinia. Saliya who has represented Royal at the Hong Kong Nationals in 1991 said the Navy oarsmen and oarswomen are talented and the oarsmen have showed tremendous skills in past meets. Navy started rowing in 1991 with three rowers in their ranks - S. U. Nishantha, H. M. Amaradasa and I. M. S. T. Kumararathna. Navy recruited more rowers and the present tally stands 17 men and 8 women. Incidentally, all of them are from Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Badulla, Bandarawela, Kurunegala, Moneragala, Mahiyangana, Anuradhapura-none from Colombo District. Alavi Mohamed a former reputed oarsman, the President of the Colombo Rowing Club was Navy's first coach. Alavi coached them up to year 2001. Saliya Wijesekera took over from 2002, Alavi build the Sri Lanka Navy side with lot of dedication and hard work. The Sailors participated in several championship meets and showed improvement in their standards. They won the junior and intermediate titles in 2000. The senior sculler H. M. Amaradasa won the Herman Sirimanne Trophy (Senior Sculls) in 2000. The Navy rowers have won the Wardrop Trophy (Sculls) from 1991 to 2003. T. A. S. Kularatne, V. G. N. Santha, K. A. K. Chandana and S. A. C. S. Kumara were the worthy winners in the respective years. Navy oarswomen who were recruited recently have not participated in any meet. However, they will participate at the Rowing Nationals along with the much experienced rowers from Musaeus College, Ladies College, Colombo Rowing Club and the two Universities Colombo and Moratuwa. V. G. N. Santha and H. M. Amaradasa brought honour to the Navy when both were selected to represent Sri Lanka in rowing at the Asian Championships held in Busan, South Korea in 2002. Both Santha and Amaradasa participated in Double Sculls event. In fact both Santha and Amaradasa were also selected to row at the South Asian Federation Games (SAF Games) in Islamabad, Pakistan last month, but the Games were cancelled due to the war. Navy own four boats, two for Sculls and 2 for pairs event. In the mornings, they are involved in physical fitness and weight training. Except Saturdays and Sundays, the Navy oarsmen and oarswomen train at the Beira Lake. On the two days they row on CRC boats and other three days with their own boats. With the backing and assistance from Rear Admiral C. N. Tudewatta, Captain M. T. D. J. Dharmasiriwardena and Lt. Col. Manchanayake (in charge of Navy oarsmen and oarswomen) they are bound to further strengthen their skills in rowing and win more laurels in the coming years. Despite navy crew involved in training they also attend to their day to day duties. Navy who are affiliated to the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka will receive all assistance from CRC and ARASL. |
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