Friday, 17 October 2014 00:00
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Extends sponsorship as Principal Sponsor for the event for 3rd consecutive year
Powers S. Thomas’ College rowing for second consecutive year
Bharti Airtel Lanka has announced its continued support as Principal Sponsor for the 44th Annual Boat Race or the 41st Royal-Thomian Regatta. Airtel Lanka further announced that it is successfully sponsoring the traditional and most prestigious RC-STC regatta for the third consecutive year.
Being one of the oldest inter-school regattas in Sri Lanka, this annual rowing competition between Royal College and S. Thomas’ College commenced in 1962 as the Royal-Thomian Boat Race. It evolved into a regatta format in 1966 with two fours rowed by the two traditional rivals.
While the first Royal College team was led by L. A. W. Sirisena, the Thomian crew was led by C. N. Sirimanne. Royal College won the very first boat race in 1962 by one boat length and S. Thomas College went on to gain their first win in 1964 – beating Royal by three boat lengths.
The traditional regatta currently comprises of 11 races – including sculls, pairs and fours. Out of the 40 Regattas rowed, S. Thomas’ College has recorded 19 wins while Royal College has won 15. Five Regattas ended in a draw, while the Regatta in 2006 was not held.
The races are rowed over a distance of 1,000 yards at the Colombo Rowing Club. This event is usually held on the last Saturday of the month of October at the Colombo Rowing Club. Regarded as the most prestigious boat race in Sri Lanka, the race is rowed for the Royal-Thomian Boat Race Trophy. The overall winner of the Regatta is awarded the T. Noel Fernando Memorial Trophy.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO/MD Suren Goonewardene stated: “As an organisation, Airtel Lanka is always looking for new ways of being relevant to our target group – creating life-enriching moments and thereby enriching their lives. We believe that sports provide the ideal platform to achieve this. We are indeed very pleased to partner the 41st annual Royal-Thomian regatta for the third consecutive year. Being the oldest and most sought after rowing tournaments in the country, this historical event showcases excellent rowing talent from both schools. We believe that sport is an arena which creates limitless opportunities to the youth of our society and that is exactly what Airtel wishes to deliver; limitless opportunities for the young to develop as successful future leaders, thus creating a progressive community in Sri Lanka.”
S. Thomas’ College was the third school in Sri Lanka to embrace the sport of rowing and commenced their own rowing program during the latter part of 1961. The College then went on to compete in the boat race with their traditional rivals Royal College in 1962. The College’s first Captain was C. N. Sirimanne.
“Airtel Lanka has partnered with S. Thomas’ College on numerous occasions and this has been a bastion in developing sports at College level. 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. As the Royal-Thomian tradition continues in yet another sporting event, over 41 years of continuous friendship, bonding and skilful rowing is celebrated beyond the mere competition amongst the two schools,” said Prof. Indra de Soysa, Warden, S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia. “As the reigning champions, S. Thomas’ College is looking forward to the 41st regatta with much enthusiasm,” he added.
“The Royal-Thomian Regatta marks an important juncture this year as we meet yet again at the 41st regatta, making it the oldest and longest standing rowing competition here in Sri Lanka,” stated Upali Gunasekara, the Principal of Royal College, Colombo. “Being the first school to take up rowing in Sri Lanka, at Royal College we feel it is vital that this tradition continues in the true Royal spirit. We are grateful to have Airtel Lanka on board as the sponsor for Royal College rowing for a period of three years. We look forward to a rewarding involvement with them in fostering our sports to better heights.”
Royal College Colombo was the first school in Sri Lanka to start its own rowing programme in 1953 with the formation of the Royal College Rowing squad. The College’s first captain was Alavi Mohomed. Their first regatta was rowed at the Beira Lake against an all European B team of the Colombo Rowing Club in which the Royalist won the coxed fours. Soon after the Royalist went on to race with yet another all European team from Madras Boat Club at which they won. The first-ever colours for rowing was then awarded.
