Sri Lanka Army that has hitherto produced record scores of world class sportsmen and women to the country is to award laurels to the achievers in sports during its prestigious ‘Colours Night-2014’, scheduled to be held at the BMICH on Thursday (12).
This was announced Friday (6) morning during a Media Conference at the Army Headquarters, addressed by Director General, Army Sports, Major General R Rathnasingham, Director Sports, Brigadier Athula Galagamage and Director Media and Military Spokesman, Brigadier K.J Jayaweera.
The annual ‘Colours Night’, the awarding ceremony that appreciates unequal sports achievements and felicitates Army sportsmen and women who excelled in sports, is to be graced by Mr Ruwan Wijewardene, State Minister of Defence as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army.
This mammoth and much-awaited annual feature in the Army this year awards laurels to 595 sportsmen and women of the Army amidst a distinguished gathering, it was announced during the Media briefing.
The series of ‘Colours Night – 2014’ events in the coming week have been segmented with a mega Photo Exhibition, Launch of a book on ‘History of Army Sports’, Appreciation of past Chairmen of Sports Committees, past sportsmen and women and the finale, Award Night on Thursday (12) at the BMICH.
The inauguration of the series of ceremonies takes place on Tuesday (10) with the opening of the mega Photo Exhibition at the BMICH by State Minister of Defence, Mr Ruwan Wijewardene, accompanied by Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army. The launch of the book on ‘History of Army Sports’ occurs at the same occasion.
The Photo Exhibition that speaks of unparalleled Army achievements in the field of local and international arena of sports, beginning from the year 1949, displays a total of 600 historic photos and is open to the public at the BMICH during Feb 10 - 12 from 9.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., on all three days.
The 450 page book on ‘History of Army Sports’ which speaks of 35 sports events, amply describes the evolution of sports in the organization, production of international level sportsmen and women, past coaches of distinction, local and international records, medals and colours so far won, valuable photos and glimpses of past events and all other relevant information, related to Army sports.
On the second day (11), the inauguration of the Photo Exhibition and award of appreciative tokens to several past sportsmen and coaches, is to be headed by Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, Commander of the Navy as the Chief Guest.
Similarly, on the third day (12) the inauguration of the Photo Exhibition and award of a few appreciative laurels to past coaches, Sports Committee Chairmen and others will take place in a separate ceremony, headed by Air Marshal Kolitha Gunathilleke, Commander of the Air Force during a ceremony at the BMICH beginning 10.00 a.m.
The climax of the events on Thursday (12) begins at 7.00 p.m. with the arrival of the State Minister of Defence, Mr Ruwan Wijewardene to the colourful ‘Colours Night - 2014’ at the BMICH where a representative group of 75 sportsmen and women, out of the total 595, qualified to receive awards in the year 2014. Of them, 50 recipients are differently able soldiers of the Army, a distinguished feature in the event. The remainder is to be presented to the recipients at respective Regimental Centres.
In the year 2014 Sri Lanka Army achievers bagged 61 international medals, inclusive of 21 Gold, 12 Silver and 28 Bronze, having displayed their skills in several international events including Asian Games.
The events also award laurels to 104 Chairmen of Army Sports Committees and 133 coaches. Recipients of the Colours are from the fields of Athletics, Volleyball, Archery, Badminton, Netball, Boxing, Cricket, Elle, Hockey, Judo, Kabbadi, Karate, Motor Sports, Basketball, Body-building, Weight-lifting, Swimming, Rugby, Shooting, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Handball and Wrestling during the past year.
In the ‘Colours Night - 2014’ at the BMICH, 50 disable Army sportsmen carry away Colours and monetary awards for their exceptional talents in swimming, wheelchair tennis, athletics, badminton, table tennis, cycling, volley ball, shooting, wheelchair marathon, wheelchair badminton, wheelchair basketball, weight-lifting and body building.
In the year 2013, 14 Gold Medals, 25 Silver Medals and 14 Bronze Medals were won by Army sportsmen and women in different international tournaments and sports events. A total of 298 Army sportsmen and women took part in international events, conferences, meets, tournaments and competitions in the year 2013.
Apart from that, Army sportsmen showcased their exceptional skills in various National Championship Tournaments and other provincial level events during 2013. Those Army sportsmen and women in the year 2013, won 226 Gold Medals, 177 Silver Medals and 202 Bronze Medals.
In view of much-required infrastructure facilities for such training, a full-fledged sports complex at an estimated cost of Rs 1.7 billion is to be a reality at Panagoda.
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