'10th Defence Services Games' Opened

The 10th ‘Defence Services Games (DSG) - 2018’ was officially declared open by Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) at the invitation of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, President, Defence Services Sports Committee (DSSC) and Commander of the Army Tuesday (3) evening at Indoor sports Stadium in the Panagoda Army cantonment.

Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne, CDS, accompanied by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Kapila Jayampathy and Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro was warmly welcomed by the Chairman to the Games Committee and Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Dampath Fernando and was conducted to the special dais.

CDS and Service Commanders afterwards hosted the National flag along with the Tri Service flags before the National Anthem was aired.

CDS, DSSC President, Air Force Commander and the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy were afterwards escorted to the VIP Grand Stand while the brass band was playing background music, followed by a two-minute silence in memory of fallen War Heroes.

Games Torch bearers jogged along the track up to the Games Torch and the lighting of the Games Torch followed afterwards to the tunes of sounding drums.

Major General Dampath Fernando, Chief of Staff of the Army and Chairman to the Games Committee, DSG - 2018 delivered his welcome speech which was followed by the official declaration of the opening of the Defence Services Games - 2018 by the Chief Guest.

Athletes from tri services took the oath of participation in the Games, adhering to the norms and traditions of the game and maintaining the true sportsmanship. It was followed by the oath of the officials.

Athletes serving in the Army, Navy and Air Force, who had obtained laurels at national and international events, including the Asian Games, have already begun participating in specific events.

Athletic events, badminton, basketball, volleyball, cricket, kabaddi, karate, sailing, rugby, football, swimming, squash, table tennis, water games, weight lifting, gymnastics, wushu and several other events will see the best of more than 1000 servicemen and women competing for supremacy in the tournament.

Cultural troupes representing tri services displayed dances and cultural pageants entertaining those who were present. A colourful display of gymnastics marked the end of the day’s event.

The Defence Service Games - 2018 is hosted by the Sri Lanka Army under the close supervision of Chairman, Defence Services Sports Committee and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake.