Rowing ready to start

By Leslie Fernando

ROWING: The oarsmen and oarswomen will get involved in four major rowing championships for the year 2007, two foreign regattas in Singapore and Hong Kong and two championships here.

A senior official of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL) said that in addition to the four major international championships meet, Sri Lanka will also concentrate on domestic events.

The championships at which our rowers will participate are: Asian Junior Rowing Championships in Singapore in May. The prestigious Madras-Colombo Regatta in Colombo in June. Sculling Championships in Hong Kong in September, Amateur Rowing Association of the East Regatta in Colombo in November.

There is also a possibility that our rowers will also compete in dual regatta with either Pakistan or India.

The dates and the venue will be notified after the annual general meeting to be held shortly added the ARASL official.

The first rowing event for the year 2007 will be the regatta conducted by the Colombo Rowing Club on February 24 on the Beira Waters commencing at 2 p.m.

The events to be held Pairs for Vanlangenberg Trophy, Sculls for Gordon Armstrong Trophy, Ladies Junior Pairs, Ladies Novices Pairs, Masters Fours and Senior coxless fours.

The events will be open to Colombo Rowing Club members (CRC/ARASL and Institutional members.

According to an official of the CRC, oarsmen and oarswomen from S. Thomas' College, Royal, Ananda, St Joseph's College, Old Joes SC, Sri Lanka Navy, University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, Musaeus College, Ladies College, CRC will participate at the opening regatta.

The rowing calendar for the year 2007 February 24: Opening Regatta, March 31, Intermonsoon Regatta, May 5: Ranfer Sprints, May 26: Joe's Sculling Regatta. June 2: South West Monsoon Regatta. June 30: Madras Colombo Regatta. July 21: Joes Sweet Rowing Regatta.

July 23: University of Colombo and University of Moratuwa, Dual Regatta. August 25: National Rowing Championships, September 29: Ladies College and Musaeus College dual regatta.

October 6: North East Monsoon Regatta. October 27: Royal-Thomian Regatta. December 1: Year end Regatta.