|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 30 November 2003 |
 |
|
 |
Sports |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Sri Lanka Air Force - top sportsmen and sportswomen by LESLIE FERNANDO Sri Lanka Air Force sportsmen and sportswomen carried away twelve championships trophies, one more than Sri Lanka Army who had eleven trophies at the Defence Services Sports Board Colours Awards Ceremony held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Friday night. Four hundred and ninety, 397 sportsmen and 93 sportswomen from the three services who brought honour and glory not only to the services but also to the country in the past three years 2000, 2001 and 2002 were awarded colours. It was the most colourful festival in the Defence Services Sports history where over 1000 sportsmen and sportswomen from three services were seen in action in 20 separate disciplines organised by the Sri Lanka Air Force with the blessings of the Defence Services Sports Board. The Defence Services Sports Festival was concluded on Friday evening with a session of boxing finals at the same venue prior to the awards ceremony. Sri Lanka Air Force were the winners of 12 championship trophies in Waterpolo, Basketball (both men and women), Cricket and Cycling (joint champions), Hockey, Kabaddi (both men and women), Netball, Soccer, Volleyball (women) and Weightlifting. Meanwhile Sri Lanka Army won the championship trophies in Athletics, Swimming, Badminton (both men and women), Cricket and Cycling (joint champions), Karate, Rugger, Squash, Volleyball (men) and Boxing. Sri Lanka Navy took the three championship trophies in Tennis, Judo and Wrestling. The challenge trophies were presented by Defence Services Sports Board, Arpico, Air Vice Marshal O. D. N. L. Perera, SL Air Force Sports Board, East Indian Fleet, Air Marshal O. D. Perera, United Breweries Lanka Ltd., Royal Ceylon Air Force, Combined Services Sports Board (Ceylon). Air Marshall G. Donald Perera, President Defence Services Sports Board and commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force who made the welcome speech said that during the past three days all witnessed sportsmen and sportswomen of the three services compete with each other in an atmosphere of healthy competitiveness in 20 different sports events. "The consistent endeavours to strive for excellence and their perseverance throughout the years, I feel they have been richly rewarded at this sports festival. They have by their dedication to sports gained much glory not only to themselves, but also to the respective services that they represent. Today, we are indeed proud to be gathered here to recognise and felicitate 490 sportsmen and sportswomen who will be honoured and bestowed with the prestigious 'Defence Services Colours' for their outstanding achievements during the years 2000 to 2002. It is heartening to note that out of these colour recipients, 93 are sportswomen which is a very encouraging sign in military sports. Special mention must be made of those who were selected to represent Sri Lanka at the World Women's Boxing Championships in Turkey (Pvt. Chandrika LK and Pvt. Ekanayake E.M.N.K. both from Sri Lanka Army) and they are awarded with Defence Services Colours tonight for their magnificent achievement. This is a very significant landmark in the history of military sports, the Air Force chief said. Another outstanding achievement that deserve special mention is the performance of four sky divers (Fl.Sgt. Anura K, S/L/C Wickremaratne, W/C M. F. J. Hassim and S/L H. M. H. B. Herath (all of SLAF) who took part in the World Military Sky Diving Championships in Algeria who were adjudged the most promising Formation Sky Diving Team in the Novices Category. They too were awarded Defence Services Colours. I fervently hope that similarly the contingent made up of 30 sportsmen and 3 sportswomen who will be participating in the 3rd World Military Games in Catania, Italy this week would emerge victorious and bring honour to the Sri Lanka Defence Forces and to the nation. Lieutenant General Lionel P. Balagalle, Chief of Defence Staff and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Mrs. Gnana Balagalle were the chief guests. Army chief Balagalle said that it was another milestone in the history of Defence Services that this is being organised in the form of a festival. Defence Services have always been in the forefront of the local sports arena. The vigour of the services sportsmen and women couldn't be thwart even by the prolonged war and the allied employment. "Contribution and achievements of our sportsmen and women in national sports are amply displayed by many honours they have brought to our nation and the country. I am confident that the dawn of an era of peace would open more avenues for our talented sportsmen and women to bestow more honours on our motherland" Balagalle added. Sports is an essential ingredient towards moulding character, determination, endurance, comradeship, discipline, the Army Commander said. He thanked the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Organising Committee for their valuable contribution in making the Awards Ceremony a great success. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
