Bolgoda Lake looks fine for rowing

The preparatory work at Bolgoda Lake has been started in preparation for the rowing events of the 10th South Asian Games to be held from August 19 to 21.

Deva Henry, the President of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL) said that the South Asian Games (Secretariat) Organising Committee visited the Bolgoda Lake last week-end and inspected the Bolgoda Lake course and they were satisfied.

The ARASL has handed over Bolgoda Lake to University of Moratuwa who will be in charge of the preparation of the course for the South Asian Games and they have the experience of the course as they have conducted many regattas on the 2000 metre course which conforms to international standard.

Henry said that ARASL will receive 16 boats, costing 8 million rupees courtesy Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka at the end of the month. "We will also receive Oars from Australia. The 64 oars are funded by the Sports Ministry.

Henry added that the training pool of rowers are presently training on the Beira Lake under the national rowing coach Lakmal Wickremage assisted by Saliya Weerasekera and once the new boats and the oars are received, the rowers will train at the Bolgoda Lake which is straight 2000 metres course. The distance is the international standard limit for rowing events.

Henry further said that rowing is one of the finest aerobic sport events in the world and at the last South Asian Games held in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2004, Sri Lanka, rowing for the first time, won five silvers and two bronze medals. "I hope our rowers will be able to get gold at the August South Asian Games" Henry emphasised.

(L.F.)