SF Competitors Secure 3rd Place in 1st International PACES

Special Forces (SF) of the Army, participating in the Pakistan Army-organized 1st international ‘Physical Agility & Combat Efficiency System’ (PACES) competition - 2016, contested by 11 countries, secured the 3rd place after competing in the 3.2 km run, pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups and Combat Efficiency Test.

The Sri Lankan Army team of 25 competitors, including a physiotherapist and reserves on the directions of the Commander of the Army took part in the PACES competition, held during October 18-26 in Lahore, Pakistan. Competitors from China, Nepal, Baharain, Pakistan, Jordan, Maldives, Saudi Arabia, UK, Malaysia, Turkey vied with the Sri Lankan team. Competitors from Pakistan Army and People’s Liberation Army of China won the first and second places.

Designed according to a new concept, the PACES aims at further promoting physical efficiency and mental stability of the soldiers and their all-time preparedness, the organizers had gone on record stating about the PACES.

Major G.W.E.K Ganegoda of SF worked as the Team Manager while Lieutenant E.S.V.N Jayasinghe of SF led the competitors as the Team Leader during the competition. Brigadier H.P Ranasinghe and Brigadier D.G.S Senarath Yapa who had also attended initial concept development and planning conferences at the beginning attended the event in Lahore as observers.

The SF team in the PACES arrived in Sri Lanka late evening on Thursday (27) to be welcomed by several senior officers at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Major General Mahesh Senanayake, Colonel of the Regiment, SF, together with Brigadier G.V Ravipriya, Director Training, Colonel J.P.C Peiris, Deputy Commandant, SF, several other senior SF officers and other rankers was at the airport to receive them.

High Commission of Sri Lanka in Pakistan meanwhile in a special letter, addressed to the Commander of the Army claimed that the Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan had highly appreciated the performance, skills and quality of the Sri Lankan team in the PACES. Organized by the Directorate of Military Training of Pakistan Army, a similar competition was held earlier in Pakistan with the participation of a team of competitors from Commando Regiment.