Thursday, 10 October 2013 00:00
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Cinnamon Grand’s annual sports meet was held in a grand manner at the BRC grounds, with houses Olive, Grape, Tangerine, Rhubarb, Celery and Blueberry playing hard, in a day of healthy competition. Teams from all houses, gathered to give their best on the track and field while cheering for their team mates enthusiastically.
The day started off with the men’s and women’s bicycle races around the Beira Lake, followed by the marathons. Thereafter, over 300 associates spent a sunny Sunday at the grounds partaking in or cheering on their colleagues in a range of track, field and team games. This included 100m, 200m and 400m races, 4x 200 relays, tug-o-war, fancy dress race and sack race, to name a few.
Congratulations went out to Tangerine for emerging overall winners of the meet having secured 92 points, with Celery coming second and Olive gaining third place. Tangerine also won the march past, with Rhubarb marching their way to second place and Olive, stepping up in third.
All houses put up impressive efforts with their tents, giving the judges a hard task in deeming winners. A tough verdict later, the best tent title was won by Celery, with their creative and innovative eco-lodge concept, with Olive coming second in a celebration of their people and Grape, with their grape chateau receiving third place.
Hearty congratulations to the winners at the meet who showcased admirable athletic abilities: The women’s cycle race was won by Roshika Perera with Madu Samarasinghe and Ajani Amarasekera riding into second and third place.
The men’s cycle race was won by K.J. Madushan with W.D. Alex Palitha and R.S. Almeida coming in second and third respectively. The marathon road race for women saw E.A.R. Edirisinghe, D.L.W.S. Lakmali and U.N.K. Perera coming in first, second and third respectively. The men’s road race, run in age groups, saw S.M. Abeywickrama, Menaka Thushara and K.N.N. Kumarasiri gaining first, second and third respectively in the under-25 category, with S.C. Lakmal, U.K.D.P. Priyanga and P.A. Dhammika doing so in the 25-35 years age group and G.G.K. Rukmal, K. Chandrakumara and R. Weerappuli, winning places in the over 35 years age group.
W.G.D. Prabath came in first in the men’s walking race with S.S. Kalukapuge and A.N.D. Almeida striding their way to second and third, respectively. The women’s walking race was won by S.K Samsudeen, with M.K.K.K. Fernando and A. Anthony putting on a feisty walk to second and third place.
To ensure wider participation, the sprinting events were held in age groups, with houses putting forwards their fastest and best to compete. The winners of the 200 meters women were; under-25 age group, first place C.T. De Buyzer, second place H.N. Maduwanthi and third K.N. Alwis.
In the 25-35 years age group, first place went to E.A.R. Edirisinghe, second place to K.A.H. Koshalee and third place to D.A.K.Y. Amarasekera.
35-45 years age group, first place S.S.A. Ismail, second place O.H.S. Samarasinghe and third D.L.W.S, Lakmali.
Over 45 age group, first A.S. Thambirajah, second K.M.G.S. Silva and third V.A.M. De Mel.
Winners of the 200 meters men were; under-25 age group, first M.S. Hapugodage, second K.G.D.M. Pramodha and third S.S.M.I.N. Sannasgala.
In the 25-35 years age group, first W.D.C. Lakmal, second R.R. Michael and third S.S.S. Fernando.
In the 35-45 years age group, first G.G.K. Rukmal, seconds W.P.L.P. Perera and third D.C. Pathirage.
Over 45 age group, first D.T.A. Gamage, second G.K. Wijeratne and third U.J. Hettiarachchi.
Winners of the 100 meters women were; under-25 age group, first C.T. De Buyzer, second K.N. Alwis and third H.N. Maduwanthi.
In the 25-35 years age group, first E.L.R.C. Edirisinghe, second A.N. Jayawardena and third K.A.H. Koshalee.
In the 35-45 years age group, first Tharika Goonathilake, second B.N.M. Silva and third P.I. Shamalee.
Over 45 age group, first A.S. Thambirajah, second V.A.M. De Mel and third Geetha Silva.
The 100 meters men event saw some lightning speed action with the winners being; under-25 age group, first M.S. Hapugodage, second K.G.D.M. Pramodha and third K.G.N. Kumara.
The 25-35 years age group, first A.P.K.D.V. Gunawardane, second R.R. Michael and third W.D.C. Lakmal.
The 35-45 years age group, first W.P.L.P. Perera, second S.R. Weerappuli and third A. P. M. Kumara.
Over 45 age group, first D.T.A. Gamage, second G.K. Wijerathne and third C.H. Quyn.
Meanwhile the more tenacious men’s 400 metres race was won by D.K.S.M. Abeywickrama with D.M.M. Thushara and R.M.E. Sampath coming in second and third in the under-25 age group.
P.D.R. Fernando won the 25-35 age group category with S. Subramaniam gaining second place and K. Pirithivaraj achieving third.
The 35 to 45 age group was won by G.G.K. Rukmal with K.D.K.J. Chandrakumara and H. Wasantha putting up a spirited fight for second and third place.
The muscle wrenching men’s tug-o-war was won by Celery with Grape pulling in second place. The women’s category victory was secured by Blueberry with Celery gaining second place. Meanwhile the sack race was won by G.H.T.D. Dananjaya, with L.C.D.A. Samarasinghe and D.M.R. Dissanayake hopping their way to second and third place.
The highlight of the day, the fancy dress race was won by Tharika Goonathilake of Olive House and Moses Maduranga from Celery House.
General Manager Rohan Karr’s stance on Cinnamon Grand’s annual sports meet is one which surpasses competitions, points or winnings, but rather focuses on something far more important, that being the integration of one grand team spirit: “While I am impressed by the extremely high standards of sportsmanship displayed at the event, my goal was one which transcends athletic achievements.”
He added: “The annual sports meet is an opportunity for associates to work together in teams in achieving a common goal. It is intended at breaking down departmental barriers and creating one large family that works together and plays together. And in doing so they grow to know each other, like each other and support each other. This year’s meet was one which exemplified true friendship and camaraderie and I am proud to be the leader of such a talented, spirited and grand force. At the end of the day, what counts is not if you won or lost, but how you played the game and I am elated to say that my team did me proud.”
The day, packed with action and fun ended off with the award ceremony and all associates coming together in one great party under the stars, with the best of BBQ and brews.
