National Rowing Championships now on at Diyawanna Rowing Centre

The 31st National Rowing Championships, organised by the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka (ARASL), will be held from 15-17 September at the Diyawanna Rowing Centre (DRC) in Battaramulla.

The three-day regatta which is the only annual rowing event conducted at a national level, will see over 180 participants this year representing schools – S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, Royal College, Ananda College, Ladies College, Musaeus College, Bishops College, Asian International School; universities – University of Colombo, University of Moratuwa, Kotalawala Defence Academy; clubs – Bolgoda Lake Rowing Club, Colombo Rowing Club and Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Army representing the defence establishments competing for the coveted recognition in the sport of rowing.

Speaking at the press conference, President of the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka Rohan Fernando said: “Rowing is considered to be one of the healthiest sporting activities of all time. Having taken the sport to new and greater heights over the past few years, we at ARASL have always been focused on making this sport the finest in the country by generating interest and providing access for everyone to participate; be it as a hobby or at a championship level. While Sri Lanka is proving to be an ideal sporting arena for the youth in the country who engage in the sport of rowing, we will continue to give them a platform to showcase their potential at national level which will also give them the due recognition of representing Sri Lanka at upcoming global events.”

The DRC, established on the banks of a 2km purpose built canal, is wide enough to race four boats abreast leaving space for one service lane. The DRC waterway meets FISA (International Rowing Federation headquartered in Geneva) specifications to conduct local and international rowing competitions.

Fernando further added: “The FISA and Asian Rowing Federation have also recognised Sri Lanka as a potential HUB for South Asia and have offered several Asian rowing competitions to be conducted in Sri Lanka during 2017 and 2018 subject to establishing ancillary facilities for international participants.”

ARASL is now looking to boost these activities further by establishing the HQ at the allocated land on the banks of Diyawanna canal and initiate a rowing academy for anyone to learn and enjoy the most aerobic sport. The Rowing Academy will be launched in October to provide anyone who would like to learn rowing and the second stage of development is to establish a physical training center with indoor rowers and strength training equipment, restaurant facilities and a viewing gallery.