Cycling gets a kick-start with revival of Sapphire S.C.
by A. C. de Silva
CYCLING: The Cycling Association is getting back into action. The
National Cycling Championship was held earlier this month in Ratnapura.
Now comes the news that Sapphire Sports Club - a club that was
involved in the promotion of cycling in the 1970s has been activated
again and a meeting of members was held earlier this month to activate
the members.
The Sapphire Sports Club was inaugurated in 1972 in Kahawatte and
Jinadasa Guruge was the President and he was responsible in getting some
of the biggest races in cycling into action.
The Sapphire Races were held in 1970, 1972 and 1973. Jinadasa Guruge
who was a very active member of the gem industry. He was instrumental in
organising the two-day cycling tour...... "The Deepacharika" in 1972,
1973 and 1974 and was also responsible in having the "Guruge Manik
Sawariya" on four occasions.
Besides having the organising capabilities, Jinadasa Guruge also led
the way to promote National Level cyclist A. M. Sumanaweera and some
others to become top level cyclists in the country.
So the activities of the club have been revived. The Sapphire Sports
Club in open for all Racing and Standard cyclists in the island for
membership. A committee meeting was held and there were 14 racing
cyclists in Ratnapura present. New members too were elected at the
meeting.
Membership details for new members can be got from Senerath
Wanshapala, Secretary, Sapphire Sports Club, Temple Road, Kahawatte.
Besides cycling, the club also includes other sports like Football,
Cricket, Volleyball, Athletics and Weightlifting.
The office bearers of Sapphire Sports Club....
President: Jinadasa Guruge, Vice-Presidents: Piyaratne Gamage and W.
Dinesh, Secretary: Senarath Wanshapala, Asst. Secretary: P. G. Gamini,
Treasurer: Lalith Cooray, Chief Organiser: Ananda Jayasuriya.
Cycling Coach: P. Anthony Symons, Adviser: A. M. Sumanaweera.
A committee for Racing and other sports headed by Gayan Guruge and A.
A. Jayawardena too were elected from the 26 members.
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