ARAE Regatta out... Madras Boat Club goes for International Friendship Regatta

By Leslie FERNANDO

ROWING: The Colombo Rowing Club oarsmen who fared prominently at the 2007 Amateur Rowing Association East Regatta in Chennai hosted by Madras Boat Club, has not been invited to row in the ARAE 2008 as the Madras Boat Club has made plans to stage the International Friendship Regatta on November 29 and 30.

Devaka Seneviratne, the captain of the Boats of Colombo Rowing Club told the Sunday Observer that Madras Boat Club who are celebrating the 150th anniversary, will not hold the ARAE Regatta 2008. As a result Sri Lanka's rowers are deprived of foreign participation. But CRC have decided to hold two regattas for the benefit of oarsmen and oarswomen. The North-East Monsoon Regatta will be held on November 15 and the Closing Regatta on December 6 on the Beira Waters.

The events to be worked off at the North-East Monsoon Regatta, senior men's pair, senior men's sculls, senior women's fours and senior women's sculls. In addition the CRC have decided to include Firm Pairs for both men and women.

The trophies on offer are - V. A. Julius Trophy, Herman Sirimanne Trophy, Ladies Plate and President Trophy.

Closing Regatta Dec. 6

The Closing Regatta, the final rowing event for 2008 will be held on December 6 with the blessing of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka.

The events to be rowed are: Sculls, double sculls, pairs, fours for oarsmen and oarswomen. Meanwhile, there will be events for Veterans too. The trophies to be awarded are Harry Creasy Cup, Colvin Sirimanne Trophy, Cyraine Cup and Veterans Trophy.

The schoolboys and schoolgirls rowers from S. Thomas' College, Royal, Ananda, St. Joseph's College, Nalanda, Thurstan, Ladies College and Musaeus College will only be able to row at both these regattas through the club but not from their institutions according to Devaka Seneviratne.