05th January 2023 11:57:13 Hours
The prize-awarding ceremony of Inter Regiment Sports Championship tournaments was held this afternoon (4) at Panagoda Army Indoor stadium, headed by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army as the Chief Guest.
In compliance with the Sri Lanka Army’s financial and resource optimization measures, one combined ceremony was organized by the Army as per directions of the Commander of the Army in order to award certificates and trophies to achievers in 9 Inter-Regimental Sports Tournaments, held throughout the year 2022.
Army sportsmen and women who competed in 9 sports events in 2022, namely the Inter Regiment Basketball Championship, Inter Regiment Handball Championship, Inter Regiment Kabaddi Championship, Inter Regiment Hockey Championship, Inter Regiment PACES Championship, Inter Regiment Judo Championship, Inter Regiment Billiards and Snooker Championship, Inter Regiment Weightlifting and Powerlifting Championship and Inter Regiment Muay Thai Championship received trophies and certificates during this joint ceremony.
Major General C.D Weerasooriya RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff, together with Senior Officers received the Commander of the Army on arrival at the entrance to the Panagoda Indoor Stadium where the ceremony was held.
Afterwards, the gathering rose to their feet and paid tribute to the memory of all fallen War Heroes with a two-minute silence in a solemn moment of remembrance before the distribution of accolades began.
Later, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage Commander of the Army, together with Major General C.D Weerasooriya RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff and Brigadier K.A.W.N.H. Bandaranayake USP, Director Sports gave away those trophies and certificates to the winners in above tournaments amid roars of applause.
Subsequently, the Commander of the Army, along with the Chief of Staff awarded cash cheques to 28 selected Army competitors who shone in various international sports events, bringing admiration to the Army.
Next, the Commander addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of sports in the organization. Army Chief also emphasized the importance of the sports to maintain the efficiency of the Army. Further, he stated that “while maintaining our prowess in the national and international arena, we need to ensure the sports enthusiasm at unit level, which is vital to keep up the morale of the Army”.
Group photographs brought the awarding ceremony to an end. Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks participated in the awarding ceremony.
