Police athletics continues its popularity - SSP Nimal Fernando

POLICE ATHLETICS: Pomp and pageantry marked the 77th Police Inter-Division Athletic Meet held at the Police Grounds, Bambalapitiya amidst a large gathering from March 28 to 30.

The meet was conducted on a elaborate scale with a number of incidents that will make it all the more memorable. The five-mile road-race on the 28th got the meet ticking off and the winner of the five-mile Road Race, without breasting the finishing tape crept under it and collapsed and had to be carried away by some athletes. This incident clearly showed the lack of training and lack of coaching for the participants.

It was quite a pleasing sight to see a famous name in athletics Nimal Fernajndo - SSP (Retd) Moratuwa taking an active part in the proceedings of the meet. He had the privilege to improve on the Sri Lanka record (then Ceylon) in 400 metres hurdles set by the late Duncon white - the Olympic Silver medallist and the 440 yards hurdles during 1962 and holds the unbroken Police rocord for 400 metres hurdles (which is 49 years since 1963) was given the honour to bear the 'Olympic Torch' and light the flame. The other 'Torch Bearer' was Premila Divakara - the women Police Officer who was promoted to the rank of a gazetted officer. At the time of retirement she held the rank of Superintendent of Police.

Police athletic captain Sampath Perera took the oath on behalf of the athletes and P.M.D. Waidyathilake - a senior judge and official of the AAA of Sri Lanka took the oath on behalf of the judges.

Speaking of the meet, Nimal Fernando said that it will be good if athletes follow the accepted practice that is followed during the races. He said that he was somewhat disturbed to witness during the 4 x 400 metres relay the second - lap runners, after receiving the baton from the in-coming first-lap runners in their respective lanes, should have crossed over to the first lane after covering the marked zone, but they continued to run in their respective lanes which was a great disadvantage.

Nimal Fernando said that unlike some other sports, in aesthetics there are no 'short-cuts' to achieve glory. The particular athlete must do his/her best to gain glory.

Fernando has one suggestion to make to the IGP to give all the facilities to the Police Sports Club so that the force with proper guidance, coaching and with necessary facilities, will bring them to the top.

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa - a one-time police officer, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

Police Sports Club has had a long history in its sports activities through its long history.

Here are some interesting facts:

The first Rugger encounter was held on 27th June 1881 at Kew Garden between Ceylon Police team and Malay Rugby team.

The first Football match was played between Police and St. Joseph's School Team on 2nd of March 1896 at St. Joseph's Ground at Maradana. Police team was led by Inspector A.S. Mousemt.

The first cricket match was played on 16th September 1890 between Police team and Royal College Team. Royal College scored 175 runs and Police Team was able to score only 80 runs in both innings.

The first Police Inter Division Athletics Meet was held under the leadership of Major Knolleys on 1st March 1902. 14 events were worked off at this Meet. Major Knolley's Shield was awarded to the most outstanding athlete, PC 1751 J.I. Goeland.

Knolley's Shield is regarded as the oldest trophy in Police Athletic and in Sri Lanka as well.

This was presented by Major Knoley's the then Inspector General of Police in 1902 at the first Police Athletic Meet held at Race Course.

The oldest record of the Police Inter Division Athletic Meet, still unbroken, is of Sub Inspector Nimal Fernando (Retired Senior Superintendent of Police) in 110 metres Hurdles, established in 1963.

PC 875 Piyadasa Fernando distinguished himself as the only Police Officer who captained the All Ceylon Athletic Team in 1965 at the Indo-Sri Lanka Dual Meet.