The Association of Army Athletics (AAA), now marking its ‘Golden Jubilee – 2013’, immortalized the memories of the Army-produced athletes on Thursday (12) by producing the first-ever chronicle of Army Athletics to the nation and awarding laurels to a host of veterans and athletes during a glittering ceremony at Musaeus College auditorium.
Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Sports and Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, graced the Book Launching and Felicitation Ceremony as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
On the occasion, a total of 114 athletes, coaches, judges, administrators, trainers, including those who have retired, having brought honour to the Army and the country alike, saw their invaluable dedication, commitment and contribution to Army athletics, were applauded and lavishly appreciated before a distinguished gathering of veterans, invitees and senior Army officers.
The Book ‘The History of Army Athletics’ which encompasses every minute detail, regarding the 50 year-long life span of Army athletics that produced Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists in Olympics, Asian Games, Asian track and field events and many other reputed sports events both here and abroad, has been authored by a special committee after researches.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army received the Chief Guest, Hon Minister in the company of Chief of Staff, Major General Crishantha De Silva and Major General Amal Karunasekara, Chairman, Army Athletic Committee and conducted him to the main auditorium.
Soon after the traditional oil lamp lighting was over, a video documentary that catalogued the life-span of Army athletics, was screened, providing the precursor to the day’s milestone event.
The next moment was phenomenal as ‘The History of Army Athletics’, the first copy of the book that joins the history of Army athletics, was presented to the day’s Chief Guest by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake. At the same time, the Commander gave away those maiden copies to a couple of other distinguished guests, including past Commanders.
The climax of the day’s event began with the stage set for felicitation of athletes and officials under five categories, namely: (1950 - 1960 decades), (1970 - 1980 decades), (1980-1990 decades), (2000 decade) and special performances (since 1950).
The Chief Guest, Hon Minister at the invitation of the AAA afterwards, felicitated those Army athletes excelled at Olympic level, their administrators, judges and trainers by awarding special mementos.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, Mr P.H.D Waidyathilaka, Mr A.J Rodrigo, Mr Sunil Goonawardena, Mr Dervin Perera, Ms Susanthika Jayasinghe, Warrant Officer Nadeeka Lakmali, Staff Sergeant Harijan Rathnayake, Warrant Officer Sarath Prasanna Gamage, Warrant Officer V.K.L Samarasinghe, Lieutenant K.A Karunarathne, Captain A. Premachandra and Warrant Officer I R.A Wimalasena Perera, were among those who received Golden Jubilee laurels for their performance, dedication and commitment to the field of Army athletics in the past 50 years.
Prior to the final segment of the felicitation awards, all other athletes and officials who have tirelessly contributed to the field since 1950 were awarded mementoes, appreciating their share to the field. Some of the next of kin of those who have made the Army proud in athletics, received the honours on behalf of their spouses or relatives, including a few whose athletes had already passed away.
Major General Crishantha De Silva, Chief of Staff, Major General E. P de Z Abeysekara, Deputy Chief of Staff and several others too joined in the award of laurels to the athletes under different phases.
Several awards for special performances of exceptional nature were also distributed on the occasion. Lieutenant General Ratnayake, in a brief address to the occasion, applauded the services of Army athletes and assured them of all assistance in the future too.
Similarly, Mr Sunil Gunawardane, a veteran in the field made the guest lecture, recalling the greatness of Army athletics and how it expanded, creating inspiring hopes in the field of athletics as Sri Lanka entered the international arena.
A mini exhibition of photos, containing the Army participation in international games and photos of veteran athletes at the entrance to the auditorium, provided a glimpse of the past history to the invitees of the day’s ceremony.
Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Minister of Sports and Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, graced the Book Launching and Felicitation Ceremony as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
On the occasion, a total of 114 athletes, coaches, judges, administrators, trainers, including those who have retired, having brought honour to the Army and the country alike, saw their invaluable dedication, commitment and contribution to Army athletics, were applauded and lavishly appreciated before a distinguished gathering of veterans, invitees and senior Army officers.
The Book ‘The History of Army Athletics’ which encompasses every minute detail, regarding the 50 year-long life span of Army athletics that produced Gold, Silver and Bronze medalists in Olympics, Asian Games, Asian track and field events and many other reputed sports events both here and abroad, has been authored by a special committee after researches.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army received the Chief Guest, Hon Minister in the company of Chief of Staff, Major General Crishantha De Silva and Major General Amal Karunasekara, Chairman, Army Athletic Committee and conducted him to the main auditorium.
Soon after the traditional oil lamp lighting was over, a video documentary that catalogued the life-span of Army athletics, was screened, providing the precursor to the day’s milestone event.
The next moment was phenomenal as ‘The History of Army Athletics’, the first copy of the book that joins the history of Army athletics, was presented to the day’s Chief Guest by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake. At the same time, the Commander gave away those maiden copies to a couple of other distinguished guests, including past Commanders.
The climax of the day’s event began with the stage set for felicitation of athletes and officials under five categories, namely: (1950 - 1960 decades), (1970 - 1980 decades), (1980-1990 decades), (2000 decade) and special performances (since 1950).
The Chief Guest, Hon Minister at the invitation of the AAA afterwards, felicitated those Army athletes excelled at Olympic level, their administrators, judges and trainers by awarding special mementos.
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army, Mr P.H.D Waidyathilaka, Mr A.J Rodrigo, Mr Sunil Goonawardena, Mr Dervin Perera, Ms Susanthika Jayasinghe, Warrant Officer Nadeeka Lakmali, Staff Sergeant Harijan Rathnayake, Warrant Officer Sarath Prasanna Gamage, Warrant Officer V.K.L Samarasinghe, Lieutenant K.A Karunarathne, Captain A. Premachandra and Warrant Officer I R.A Wimalasena Perera, were among those who received Golden Jubilee laurels for their performance, dedication and commitment to the field of Army athletics in the past 50 years.
Prior to the final segment of the felicitation awards, all other athletes and officials who have tirelessly contributed to the field since 1950 were awarded mementoes, appreciating their share to the field. Some of the next of kin of those who have made the Army proud in athletics, received the honours on behalf of their spouses or relatives, including a few whose athletes had already passed away.
Major General Crishantha De Silva, Chief of Staff, Major General E. P de Z Abeysekara, Deputy Chief of Staff and several others too joined in the award of laurels to the athletes under different phases.
Several awards for special performances of exceptional nature were also distributed on the occasion. Lieutenant General Ratnayake, in a brief address to the occasion, applauded the services of Army athletes and assured them of all assistance in the future too.
Similarly, Mr Sunil Gunawardane, a veteran in the field made the guest lecture, recalling the greatness of Army athletics and how it expanded, creating inspiring hopes in the field of athletics as Sri Lanka entered the international arena.
A mini exhibition of photos, containing the Army participation in international games and photos of veteran athletes at the entrance to the auditorium, provided a glimpse of the past history to the invitees of the day’s ceremony.
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