Saturday, 26 October 2013 11:40
-
- {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Royal College and St. Thomas’ College rowing teams will show off their skills and technique as they battle it out for the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy at the traditional 40th Annual Royal-Thomian Regatta.
One of the oldest inter-school regattas in Sri Lanka, this annual rowing competition between Royal College and St. Thomas’ College commenced in 1962 as the Royal-Thomian Boat Race. It evolved into a regatta format in 1966 and currently comprises of 10 races.
Out of the 39 regattas rowed, St. Thomas’ College has recorded 18 wins while Royal College won 15. Five regattas ended in a draw, while the regatta in 2006 was not held.
The races are rowed over a distance of 1000 yards at the Colombo Rowing Club and the annual regatta is regarded as the most prestigious boat race in Sri Lanka, the race is rowed for the Boat Race Trophy - Senior Fours.
The Royal-Thomian regatta, which is one of the most prestigious sporting events in the schools calendar, is an event that is enthusiastically anticipated by both the present and old boys of both schools.
An exciting game is expected between the two traditional rivals as they have proven themselves to be fierce competitors in the regattas held over the years.
The Chief Guest for the event is to be past captain of Royal College in 1986 and Director/Chief Executive Officer of Uga Escapes Ramli Ghaffoor, while the Guest of Honour is Bharti Airtel Lanka Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director Suren Goonewardene. The event is sponsored by Bharti Airtel Lanka for the second consecutive year.
The races will start at 1300hrs (1 p.m.) at the Colombo Rowing Club on 26 October 2013.
