The closing ceremony of the 51st Inter Regiment Athletics Championship of the Army and award of trophies for winners, took place at the Sugathadasa National Stadium Wednesday (26) evening with all the pomp and ceremony of a high standard sports event.
Organized by the Army Athletics Committee, presided by Major General Amal Karunasekara, the closing ceremony was graced by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake as the Chief Guest.
Generating glimmers of new hopes to the field of athletics with national and Army level records, more than 1500 athletes, competed in the 51st Inter Regiment Athletics Championship Meet - 2014 of the Sri Lanka Army which began on Monday (24).
Craftsman R.A.K Karunathilake of the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) in Decathlon event made a new national level record, thus elevating his own Regiment to be in the first place of points and records. Similarly, several new Army athletic records, including 5000 m in the women’s category were made, in addition to 10 new athletic meet records.
This year’s championship mirrored the highest professional sportsmanship with many new records of improvement of the highest standards, through which the thirst for athletic achievements inside the organization, was rekindled.
In the men’s category, athletes of the SLEME shone brilliantly securing the first place with 173 points while 6 (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) athletes won the championship with 198 points.
Comprised of track and field events, the 51st Inter Regiment Athletics Championship Meet – 2014 had been organized this year with elaborate arrangements under the personal supervision of Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, who himself has been a keen athlete and a tower of strength to the Army field of athletics, having chaired the Army Athletics Committee for many years.
The contest for championship reached its apex on Wednesday (26) with the start of final 1500m, 100m and 100m for both men and woman athletes, together with events such as tugs of war (men and women) relay runs (men and women) generating a wave of enormous interest and cheering.
Multi-coloured Army band displays, physical training demonstrations, march-pasts, fire displays and other entertaining features, added variety and entertainment to the final closing ceremony as soldiers in their hundreds together with sports fans thronged the stadium.
The overall Championship in Men’s events went to the athletes of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) breaking the unbroken supremacy of Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) continuously held for 33 years for the second time.
In the Women’s category, 6 (Volunteer) Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps (SLAWC) athletes claimed the Championship while the 4 (Volunteer) SLAWC became the first runners up.
Towards the end of the day’s event, the Chief Guest awarded trophies and medals to the competitors who excelled in different fields of athletics in the Meet, in the company of Major General Amal Karunasekara.
After distribution of trophies, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, addressed the occasion, highlighting the importance of collective sportsmanship.
This year’s records, said to be the best in the most recent years, brought forth an overwhelming motivation to athletes in the Army in particular and those elsewhere in general with elaborate arrangements in place.
Lance Corporal K.W.H.M.C.J.C Kapukotuwa (discus throw), 2 Lieutenant D.H.D Weerasekara (long jump), Lance Corporal P.M.I Silva (pole vault), Warrant Officer 1 B.L Nadeeka Lakmali (javelin throw), Private U.K.N Rathnayake (3000 m) and Private R.A.I.S Rajasinghe (100 m hurdles), were among those who made new Meet records in the three-day long Inter Regiment Athletics Championship Meet - 2014.
