32nd National Rowing Championships concludes on successful note

The 32nd National Rowing Championship organised by the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka at the Diyawanna Rowing Course ended on a successful note. 

More than 350 athletes vied for honours at the coveted 32nd National Rowing Championships on the resplendent waters of the Diyawanna Rowing Course. The rowers competed in over 72 events, held from 21-23 September at the Diyawanna Rowing Centre – a purpose built facility supported by the Ministry of Sports, to propagate the sport of rowing. 

In keeping with international standards, the races took place along a course comprising four lanes over a distance of 2 km. The event categories comprised both the men’s and women’s Open, Over-18 and Under-18 segments in addition to encompassing the singles, pairs, double sculls, coxless and coxed fours. The schoolboy sculler and schoolgirl sculler events were also conducted. This year’s championship was further animated by an exciting exhibition Eights race. Athletes from 17 institutions competed in the events, representing the armed forces, leading universities as well as public, private and international schools. 

The Mr. Gerry Silva Trophy was awarded to the Sri Lanka Navy, who clinched the title in the Men’s Open category, while the Mr. Deva Henry Trophy was awarded to Sri Lanka Army, who emerged winners in the Women’s Open category. A number of special trophies were awarded to the winners of distinct categories which crowned Royal College the winners of the Men’s Over-18 (Major Percy Fernando Trophy), Sri Lanka Navy the winners of the Women’s Over-18 (Mr. Nalin Mendis Trophy), Ananda College the winners of the Men’s Under-18 (Mr. Eraj Wijesinghe Trophy) and Ladies College the winners of the Women’s Under-18 (Flipper Trophy).  

Furthermore, Hashen Hettigoda from Royal College was awarded the Schoolboy Sculler trophy by the Colombo Rowing Club, and Senuri de Silva from Musaeus College was awarded the Schoolgirl Sculler trophy. 

Addressing the gathering, the President of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka Rohan Fernando noted: “What you saw at the finals is the crème de la crème of Sri Lanka rowing. Some of the rowers just returned after taking part in the Asian Rowing Championships in Thailand. Thirteen of them competed and some of our crews came to the ‘A’ finals, which is a good standard after many moons. 

“Our crews are now capable of clocking 6.30 minutes over a two-kilometre course which is commendable when compared with international standards of 5.40 to 6.20 minutes over 2,000 metres. The timings change from venue to venue due to turbulence and wind resistance. I am confident that our crews can shave some seconds off to be considered for entry into the world rankings before too long.”