Joes sculling regatta promises exciting fare

by Leslie Fernando

ROWING: Top rowing fare is in the offing with all leading oarsmen and oarswomen taking part at the 5th Joes Sculling Regatta conducted by St. Joseph's College to be held from May 23 to 26 on the Beira Waters.

Indian and Pakistan rowers are yet to confirm their participation. We have sent out invitation to both, but it is unlikely they will row due to reasons known to them, "said Yohan Thuraninayagam a senior member of St. Joseph's College Rowing Advisory Committee. He said that all arrangements have been finalised for the event which promises rich fare.

According to Thuraninayagam, rowers from Royal, S. Thomas' College, Ananda, St. Joseph's College, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Old Joes SC, University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, Bishop's College, Ladies College, Musaeus and Colombo Rowing Club will take part. The heats will worked off from May 23 to 25. The races to be worked off in the morning and evening. The programmes will be available on May 19. Finals will be on May 26 from 2.p.m.

The regatta will be rowed of in the following categories for both oarsmen and oarswomen. For boys and girls under-13, under-15 and under-17 single sculls will be worked off. Distance for under-13, will be 500 metres and for under-17 under-19 1,000 metres.

In the under-19 category, the events are single scull, double sculls and quadruple sculls distance being 1000 metres. For open same events will be worked off while for under-24 only single scull will be held. Rev. (Dr.) D. B. Stanley Abeysekera Challenge Trophy will be awarded to the overall champions. Meanwhile the first three in each events will receive gold, silver, bronze medals and certificates.

St. Joseph's College oarsmen and Ladies College oarswomen rowed with authority and showed their prowess to emerge overall boys and girls campions last year. But this time, Royal, S. Thomas, CRC, University of Colombo, Musaeus rowers are favoured to do well.