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the Diyawanna Rowing Centre at Battaramulla.
This three day regatta will see almost 300 participants compete in 84 events over a period of two and a half days, with the finals being held for all 28 events, on Saturday.
Races will be held in three categories – under 18, over 18 and open events.
The ARASL will also introduce the ‘quadruple scull’, which is a prominent event at international regattas, but will be a new experience for the local sport. Speaking at a press conference held at the Colombo Rowing Club on Tuesday, ARASL President, Rohan Fernando said: “This year, for the first time in Sri Lanka we are introducing a quadruple scull exhibition event which we hope would become a regular event in the future.”
Speaking of their plans for the future of rowing in the country Fernando also added: “We are highly focused on achieving international-level acclaim, and this year we will strive to better our national timings, so that we can earmark potential rowing talent to represent Sri Lanka at upcoming global events.”
The sport itself has seen much growth in recent times with over 600 active participants representing schools, universities, social clubs, defence establishments and rowing clubs. The ARASL has contributed a great deal to this outcome and has even recently been recognised by the International Rowing Association (FISA).
The Diyawanna Oya boasts an international standard multi-lane rowing course where spectators can enjoy vantage viewing access from both banks, embracing the entire course which runs up to 2 km, and completed as a development project under the supervision of the Secretary of Defence and Urban Development Gotabaya Rajapaksa. This centre is also to be the venue of the Asian Junior Rowing Championships scheduled for 2015.
The ARASL has also already put in place an ambitious plan to establish a national rowing academy which would train and popularise rowing across all age groups. International coaches and training programs will be conducted to propagate the sport with world acclaim in mind. The sport of rowing also has the added advantage of providing differently abled sportsmen rehabilitation, while giving them the opportunity to compete at international levels such as the Paralympics.
Bharti Airtel Lanka, which is the third largest telecom operator in the world, will be the sponsors of this event for the second consecutive year.
Speaking of their involvement Bharti Airtel Lanka CEO/MD Suren Goonewardene stated: “Airtel Lanka has always strived to promoted dynamic energy with our brand name. Rowing is a sport that has been taken up passionately by the youth of our country. Annual events such as the National Rowing Championship not only help uplift the sport but also promote it across the island. Therefore we are pleased to continue our sponsorship for this event, which is considered as one of the most prestigious rowing tournaments in the country.”
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ARASL President Rohan Fernando (4th from left) receives the token sponsorship cheque from Bharti Airtel Lanka Chief Marketing Officer Chandrashekhar Sing Chauhan. Others from left: National Coach Lakmal Wickramage, ARASL Treasurer John De Neise, ARASL Vice President Lushantha De Silva, ARASL Secretary Dimuth Gunawardena and Assistant ARASL Secretary Wg. Cdr. Gayajith Dessanayake– Pic by Daminda Harsha Perera |
