South Asian games: Sri Lanka aiming for gold in rowing

by Leslie Fernando

Rowing is not only a sport, it's a total exercise. The sport is gaining popularity and the need to provide facilities and latest instruments is growing. The sport has caught the attention of the South Asian Games Organising Committee and the NOC. The rowing events of the 10th SA Games will be held at Bolgoda Lake from August 19 to 21 said Deva Henry, President Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL).

The ARASL has handed over Bolgoda Lake to University of Moratuwa who will be in charge of the preparation of the course for the South Asian Games.

The ground work has already been started with the assistance of the Civil Engineering section of University of Moratuwa. Steps have been taken to provide facilities to place boats on water, build stages at the starting and finishing points, mark the 2000 metres boundary, make six lanes and prepare separate boats for referees and media personnel.

Henry added that according to international standards, the distance of rowing is 2000 metres (2 kilometres). The events will start near Ranmal Hotel and will finish near Thotupola Hotel. The lake is ideal for rowing events. The blocks near the hotels will be allocated for the spectators.

After the National Rowing Championships, there are 29 members in the pool. They train on the Beira Water in the mornings and evenings under the National Coach, Lakmal Wickremage and assistant coach Saliya Wijesekera... The Lankans are holding back training at Bolgoda as the preparatory work on the lake is on and furthermore awaiting for the 16 boats from China. The ARASL has already received 64 oars from the Sports Ministry.

Henry said that the poolists are getting the nutrition from Medical Unit of South Asian Organising Committee. Henry added that at the last SAF Games in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2004, Sri Lanka won 5 silver and 2 bronze medals "and this time, we are trying to improve on the performances." Henry said.

Lakmal Wickremage, National Rowing Coach said that 29 oarsmen are training hard on the Beira Water. But the rowers should get accustomed to rowing at Bolgoda Lake. There is limited time for training on the 2000 metres course and also the rowers will have to get used to rowing in coxless fours. Presently they train on coxed fours. However, the oarsmen are 'raring to go' and hope to more medals in August said Wickremage. Saliya Wijesekera the Sri Lanka Navy coach is assisting me in a big way to put the rowers in shape.

The oarsmen from Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangaladesh and Afghanistan will row in heavy and light weight categories in single scull, double sculls, coxless four and coxless pair - altogether 7 events which will be straight finals. At the 2004 SAF Games, Pakistan won the overall title and India finished runners-up, Sri Lanka third.

The final selections will be made on July 15. The poolists are: Chanaka Talpahewa, Mahil Gamage (CRC), S. Fonseka, R. M. Ratnayake, S. A. D. Appuhamy, T. G. R. Kularatne, B. T. S. K. de Silva, S. S. C. S. Kumara, A. C. Nushantha, B. G. N. Santha, H. M. Amaradasa, K. A. Chandana, J. M. Hussein, S. W. K. Wimaladasa, M. J. R. Kumara (all of SL Navy).

Yohan Corera (Old Joes SC), Baasim Hassan, Chrisan Silva (St. Josehp's), Sisira Kumara, C. Aloysius, C. Waidyaratne, K. K. C. Rohana, T. M. P. L. Tharanga, Gaya Dassanayake (all of SL Air Force), Gayan Kaushalya, Chamara Kottehewa, Ranjith Jayasinhe (University of Colombo), Nimantha Hewagama, Wijendra Senaratne (Ananda).