Security Forces contribute towards success of SA Beach Games

BEACH GAMES: The Security Forces, under the direction of Ministry of Defence, played a key role to make the inaugural South Asian Beach Games a resounding success.

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa took time off his busy schedules to oversee the logistical support of the Security Forces before and during the Games.

Sri Lanka Army, along with the Air Force and Navy, took heavy burden in supporting the local organising committee to make a worthy contribution towards the success of the games. The soldiers involved with all organising work had many sleepless nights to make the eight-nation Games a huge success.

If not for the contribution of the Security Forces, a Games of this magnitude would never have been a success as their manpower and logistical support was a big blessing to the organisers.

Nevertheless, Sri Lanka's sportsmen and women made the maximum use of the home conditions and gave a better meaning to the contributions of the Security Forces by winning nine gold medals and were only two golds short of India in the final medals table.

The success of the South Asian Beach Games was a clear testimony and ample proof of Sri Lanka's organisational skills, with less than a month away from Commonwealth Games Federation voting for the host city of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Many independent observers and international sports officials see as a frontrunner for the 2018 Commonwealth Games with the voting scheduled for November 11 in St. Kitts. However, Australia's Gold Cost City, the other city bidding to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games, is bound to give a good fight in Hambantota's bid to become the world's most sought-after sports destination.

Sri Lanka's proven track record by successfully hosting the inaugural South Asian Beach Games and 2011 ICC World Cup matches will boost Hambantota's chances with the 2018 Bid Committee, jointly headed by Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal.

National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Sports too should be commended for a job well done in successfully hosting the first ever South Asian Beach Games.