The inauguration of the mega Photo Exhibition of Army Sports and the launch of the new Book on History of Army Sports, the forerunner to the sequence of events that coincides with the forthcoming Army ‘Colours Night-2014’ on Thursday (12), took place during an inaugural ceremony at BMICH this morning (10), headed by Mr B.M.U.D Basnayake, Secretary to Ministry of Defence.
The day’s agenda got to a start after an introduction to the new book on ‘History of Army Sports’ was given to the attendees by Major General R Rathnasingham, Director General Sports and Major General U.A.B Medawela, Commander, Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West) who has also distinctively contributed to the promotion of Army sports. He spoke on the contextual side of the new book.
Mr Sunil Gunawardene, former Director General of Sports and the veteran sports personality afterwards commented at length on the contribution of the Army for promotion of Sri Lanka’s field of sports and numerous achievements of Army sportsmen and women at national and international events.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army whose innovative thinking and impressive planning saw a new revival in the field of Army sports, was then invited to present the maiden copy of the book to the day’s Chief Guest, Mr B.M.U.D Basnayake, Secretary to Ministry of Defence. Copies of the same were afterwards presented to past Commanders and other distinguished guests.
Afterwards, the Photo Exhibition that speaks of unparalleled Army achievements in the field of local and international arena of sports with 600 historic photos, beginning from the year 1949, was ceremonially opened to the public at the BMICH.
Photo Exhibition will remain open to the public from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. until Thursday (12), the day of the ‘Colours Night - 2014’ as the climax event of the series of arrangements.
A host of sports celebrities, like Susanthika Jayasinghe, Damayanthi Dharsha, Julian Balling, together with former Commanders of the Army, General R.S Daluwatte, General Hamilton Wanasinghe, General Sri Lal Weerasuriya, General Lionel Balagalle, Adjutant General, Director General General Staff, Senior Officers, Director Sports, Brigadier Athula Galagamage, past athletes and invitees were present at the occasion.
The annual ‘Colours Night’, the awarding ceremony that appreciates unequal sports achievements and felicitates Army sportsmen and women who excelled in sports, is to be graced by Mr Ruwan Wijewardene, State Minister of Defence as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army. Secretary to Ministry of Sports was also present at the inaugural ceremony.
The 450 page book on ‘History of Army Sports’ which speaks of 35 sports events, amply describes the evolution of sports in the organization, production of international level sportsmen and women, past coaches of distinction, local and international records, medals and colours so far won, valuable photos and glimpses of past events and all other relevant information, related to Army sports.
This mammoth and much-awaited annual feature in the Army this year awards laurels to 595 sportsmen and women of the Army amidst a distinguished gathering .
On the second day (11), the inauguration of the Photo Exhibition and award of appreciative tokens to several past sportsmen and coaches, is to be inaugurated by Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, Commander of the Navy as the Chief Guest.
Similarly, on the third day (12) the inauguration of the Photo Exhibition and award of a few appreciative laurels to past coaches, Sports Committee Chairmen and others will take place in a separate ceremony, headed by Air Marshal Kolitha Gunathilleke, Commander of the Air Force during a ceremony at the BMICH beginning 10.00 a.m.
The climax of the events on Thursday (12) begins at 6.00 p.m. with the arrival of the State Minister of Defence, Mr Ruwan Wijewardene to the colourful ‘Colours Night - 2014’ at the BMICH where a representative group of 75 sportsmen and women, out of the total 595, qualified to receive awards in the year 2014. Of them, 50 recipients are differently able soldiers of the Army, a distinguished feature in the event. The remainder is to be presented to the recipients at respective Regimental Centres.
In the year 2014 Sri Lanka Army achievers bagged 61 international medals, inclusive of 21 Gold, 12 Silver and 28 Bronze, having displayed their skills in several international events including Asian Games.
The events also award laurels to 104 Chairmen of Army Sports Committees and 133 coaches. Recipients of the Colours are from the fields of Athletics, Volleyball, Archery, Badminton, Netball, Boxing, Cricket, Elle, Hockey, Judo, Kabbadi, Karate, Motor Sports, Basketball, Body-building, Weight-lifting, Swimming, Rugby, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Handball and Wrestling during the past year.
In the ‘Colours Night - 2014’ at the BMICH, 50 disable Army sportsmen carry away Colours and monetary awards for their exceptional talents in swimming, wheelchair tennis, athletics, badminton, table tennis, cycling, volley ball, shooting, wheelchair marathon, wheelchair badminton, wheelchair basketball, weight-lifting and body building.
In the year 2013, 14 Gold Medals, 25 Silver Medals and 14 Bronze Medals were won by Army sportsmen and women in different international tournaments and sports events. A total of 298 Army sportsmen and women took part in international events, conferences, meets, tournaments and competitions in the year 2013.
Apart from that, Army sportsmen showcased their exceptional skills in various National Championship Tournaments and other provincial level events during 2013. Those Army sportsmen and women in the year 2013, won 226 Gold Medals, 177 Silver Medals and 202 Bronze Medals.
In view of much-required infrastructure facilities for such training, a full-fledged sports complex at an estimated cost of Rs 1.7 billion is to be a reality at Panagoda shortly.
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