The 47th Inter Regimental Athletic Tournament, organized by the Army Athletic Association came to an end Thursday (19) evening at Sugathadasa Stadium grounds after the three-day long event set new records and honoured yesteryear veterans.
Over 1000 athletes representing twenty-four Regiments in the Army competed for their slots in marathon races, 100 m, 200 m, 400 m, races and relays, shot puts, javelin throw, long distance running, high jump, long jump, discus throw, etc during those three days (August 17, 18 & 19).
Being the year’s most-awaited and inspiring event in the Army sports and athletic calendar assumed greater significance on the closing day (19) as the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, on the invitation of Major General R M D Rathnayake, Chairman, Army Athletic Association, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest at the prize awarding ceremony.
As curtains fell on the year’s exciting sports event, the final leg of the tournament kicked off this afternoon (19) with the arrival of the day’s Chief Guest.
Finals in 1500 m, 400 m, 100 m races and Tug of war during the final few hours drew a huge applause from the spectators as both male and female athletes took to their heels. Intermittent cultural pageants, display of Taekwondo skills, march past, etc added glittering colour to the spectacle, attended by a large gathering of senior Army officers, soldiers and members of the public, including Mrs Manjulika Jayasuriya, President Seva Vanitha Army Branch.
Sri Lanka Artillery athletes emerged overall Champions while Sri Lanka Army Service Corps secured runners-up in the meet.
Warrant Officer I P D M P Wickramasinghe of 2nd Battalion (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Army Women Corps and Lance Corporal Rathnasiri A.D.N.P. of Sri Lanka Army Service Corps were adjudged Best Female and Male Athlete in the tournament respectively to receive Munchee Challenge Trophies.
Sergeant S V A Kusumawathi rewrote the history of the games in 400 m Hurdles for women by finishing at 1.02.48 seconds while two more records were renewed in Men’s High Jump and Men’s Shot Putt. Lance Corporal A D N P Rathnasiri cleared a record breaking 2.21 meters in High Jump and Private K W M M Charith Kapukotuwa threw 13.93 meters in his record breaking effort.
The award of special mementoes to Army’s former Asian Gold Medalists, Lieutenant Colonel W Wimaladasa (Retd) and Captain A Premachandra (Retd) on the same occasion took all the attendees down along the memory lane as they stepped on to the stage to receive their laurels from the Chief Guest.
On the same line of thought, Mr N M Bahirawa Nadan, one of the most senior referees who had served the Army as well as the National Athletic Committee for more than 35 years was also honoured at the same venue recognizing his distinguished services to the field of Athletics. A special plaque presented to him on the occasion spoke high of his contribution to the Army for so many years.
Distribution of special trophies and merit awards to the winners was done afterwards by Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya who later on delivered a special address to the gathering.
Here is the full text of the Commander’s address to the occasion;
“ Senior officers, other officers, other ranks, athletes, sports men and women!
Let me first thank the organizing committee of the Inter Regimental Athletic Tournament for inviting me as the Chief Guest for the closing ceremony of the 47th Inter Regimental Athletic Tournament.
The main aim of this athletic tournament was to improve the physical and mental strength of the members of the Sri Lanka Army as well as to offer athletes the opportunity of showing their sport talents while representing their own Regiments. This also helps to further strengthen the co-operation and brotherhood spirits among those who are serving in different units in the Army.
As members of a unique Army, you must be energetic enough to maintain your professional and technical prowess while successfully performing your duties and responsibilities, entrusted to you in the Army. You all can be proud of the fact that a great deal of your inborn talents remained hidden hitherto in you are exposed to the entire country, since you are now a member of the Sri Lanka Army. It is needless to mention not only you, but also your parents, spouses, brothers and sisters would take pride in your share of duties.
The Army is well committed to recognize your abilities through these competitions and prepared to assist you for further training under skilled coaches.
As members in one of the great Armies in the world, you have fulfilled your duties to the best of your ability with unprecedented dedication in order to protect the sovereignty of the motherland, maintain law and order and restore peace. The manner how you stood all those challenges fearlessly deserves praise, needless to mention.
I should humbly state that the availability of a large number of athletes, sports men and women in the Army brought fame, not only to the Army but also to the entire country since they have brought victories home after participating in the Olympics, Asian Games and various other international sport events. Today’s tournament of very high standards consisted of a number of track and field events and those athletes showed their excellent talents in different events. I must specially appreciate the talents displayed by those who are serving in the North and the East, amidst lots of difficulties, in some cases even in the absence of a proper ground for training.
As the Commander of the Army, I would like to pay tribute to the organizing committee of this tournament, including the Chairman Army Athletic Committee for conducting the Army Inter Regimental Athletic Tournament on a grand scale with such great standards.
Finally, I would like to congratulate all the athletes, sports men and women who achieved victories as well as those who enthusiastically participated in the tournament representing all Regiments and Battalions. I wish you all a prosperous future. Thank You”.
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