Army's 50th Anniversary Inter Regiment Athletics Meet Gets Underway

The 50th Anniversary Inter Regiment Athletics Championship Meet - 2013, together with a grand Photo Exhibition that displays the genesis of Army athletics and its achievements, was inaugurated Tuesday (26) morning at Sugathadasa National Stadium with the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, gracing the occasion as the  Chief Guest.  

Sri Lanka Army as the most leading single organization in the country boasts an unparalleled record in the field of athletics for the last five decades, having produced a few Olympic medalists since the founding of the Army’s Athletics Committee in the year 1950.

Today’s championship that got underway is to be competed by 750 Army athletes from all Regiments in the company of more than 20 other reputed Army-produced athletes who have brought Gold, Silver and Bronze medals home, having participated in many international athletics meets.  

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake at the invitation of Major General Amal Karunasekara, Chairman, Sri Lanka Army Athletics Committee, set light to the symbolic Olympic Torch, held by two veteran athletes, Warrant Officer -1 Nadeeka Lakmali and Staff Sergeant Ratnayake and declared open the Meet - 2013, reading out a special announcement after formal flag-hoisting was over.    

Soon after simultaneous declarations on conduct of the Meet and the judges as typical in such mega events, were made, the issue of a first-day cover, took place, attaching undying memory to the milestone event which has now reached its 50th year.

Instructors and troops at the Panagoda Army Physical Training School, added colour and variety to the opening ceremony, staging a spectacular display of gymnastics and drills. So did parachutists of the Army which added glamour to the ceremony.  

The Commander afterwards cutting a ribbon inaugurated the athletics Photo Exhibition, organized at one corner of the stadium, in which a large collection of photos, related to Army athletics and its evolution, are on display during the championship (Nov 26 - 28).

Women’s finals in the 200 m marathon kicked off as the first item on the agenda as hundreds of athletes and spectators roared out with applause.

Comprised of track and field events, the annual Meet mirrors the enthusiasm Army sportsmen have in athletics sports like Marathon races and relays, Long distance running, Archery, High and Long Jumps, Shot Puts, Javelin, Discus-throwing Power-lifting, Swimming, Shooting, Badminton, Volleyball, Cycling and an array of other sports.

Since the inception of the Army Athletics Committee in 1950, chaired formerly by Lieutenant Duncan White who bagged the first-ever Olympic Medal for Sri Lanka, Army athletes in many international meets, including Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, South Asian Sports Meet, World Defence Services Athletics Meet, etc, have so far succeeded in securing 29 Gold medals, 37 Silver medals and 28 Bronze medals, a record achievement which no other single establishment in the country has attained to-date.

The 50th Anniversary Photo Exhibition which depicts the historic life-span of the field of Army athletics, athletes and displays paraphernalia that have been used by those Army medalists, will be on display to the public on all three days (Nov. 26, 27 & 28) at Sugathadasa Stadium.

The book, ‘Army Athletics’ that traces its roots to the times of old royalties and pictorially elaborates the string of achievements that have been hitherto made by Army athletes, has been printed in both Sinhala and English languages.

Compiled by the Army Athletics Committee, the book contains comprehensive information on Army national records, international records, etc, in addition to a collection of rare photos and all other minute details, regarding Army’s contribution to the promotion of Sri Lanka’s field of athletics.

This product of international standards is to be released during the grand felicitation ceremony, scheduled to be held on December 12 at Colombo Musaeus College auditorium where the Minister of Sports, is expected to felicitate Army athletes who have made Army proud and those who have so far contributed to the success story of Army athletics.    

Ceylon Biscuits Limited has been the valuable sponsor to this event for over ten years.