Rotasmash’14: All-island Intermediate/Novices Table Tennis Championship 2014

Saturday, 22 March 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Text and Pix by Ruzaik Farook Dating back to the Victorian times and being revolutionised through the ages, table tennis makes history as the second fastest sport in the world. When little to none is spoken much about indoor sports other than basketball, table tennis has always been a ‘must talk’. With in-built physical and psychological benefits, ping pong is a sport loved by millions from around the globe; a sedative that never loses its spirit and a past-time one

never gets fed up of. The Rotaract Club of Colombo Fort, in existence for 24 years in the Rotaract movement, has been a club praised and acknowledged with high calibre. Known to have given birth to two District Rotaract Representatives and having initiated grand projects that have made history, it once again reached a remarkable milestone in the history of Rotaract. Organised in collaboration with the Asian German Sports Exchange Program, Rotasmash’14 was an All-island Intermediate/Novices Table Tennis Championship that came to light recently. The Fortaractors raised collars on this note since Rotasmash’14 made history as the first ever table tennis tournament that has been organised by a Rotaract club. The main purpose of organising this tournament was to commemorate Independence Day and also to spread the word of Rotaract among the youth. Since Rotaract is a service club, dedicated towards the betterment of the community, it always seeks for the youth as its driving force. Having organised massive projects under various avenues, the Fortaractors have always had a passion to serve the Rotaract movement. Under the foreseen vision of the current president Rtr. Thaha Adamjee, the Rotaract Club of Colombo Fort is thus a challenge to many. Moving on to be a further challenge to an opponent, he also went onto showcase his ping pong skills in the Novices Men’s category, which added more glamour to the tourney. Rotasmash’14 spanned for two days similar to all Intermediate/Novices Table Tennis championships and witnessed a participation of 450 participants from over 25 schools from around the island. Some of these schools included Royal College, Ananda College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Musaeus College, Hillwood College - Kandy, St. Mary’s College - Kegalle, Anura Central College - Yakkala, Asoka Vidyalaya and Vidyartha College – Kandy and was made colourful by the presence of dignitaries including the Chief Guest President of the Rotary Club of Colombo Fort Rtn. Vibhu Wickramasinghe, IPDRR Rtr. PP. Dr. Dilhan Jayatilleke, DRRE Rtr. PP Hazeem Osman, Chandana Perera, Secretary of the Western Province Table Tennis Association and Sri Lanka Table Tennis Men’s Team Captain Rohan Sirisena and Sri Lanka Table Tennis Women’s Team Captain Ishara Madurangi. On a concluding remark, the Project Chairperson, Rtr. Kamanthi Wickramasinghe stated; “Rotasmash ‘14 is the fruitful outcome of five months of sheer dedication and effort put forth by a team of lovely individuals. I thank them for the immense support rendered to throughout this time by IPDRR Rtr. PP. Dr. Dilhan Jayatilleke who helped to get a majority of the due work done on time and accurately. I also extend gratitude to Rtr. Kushil Thilakasiri, Rtr. Wathila Jayathilake, Rtr. Ashham Siddique, Rtr. Chethika Premarathne, Rtr. Tuan Izzath, Rtr. Nabeel Nular and also President Rtr. Thaha Adamjee.”