Unfailing differently able soldiers show their colours
'DETERMINED DARED AND DONE,' the epithet that sums up the qualities of a soldier once again came to the fore when the Army's differently able soldiers on Thursday (20) joined hands together at Army Headquarters grounds, Colombo to show their colours in sports.
The 10th Sports Meet of those differently able soldiers was on the whole a show of their physical fitness, if not proof of their sound morale and determination to take on any challenge in life. Those soldiers of the Army in fact sacrificed their limbs not for any personal gains but purely for the sake of country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Nearly 650 differently able sportsmen of all the Regiments participated in this exciting tournament at regional levels which spanned over three months and continued up to the finals on Thursday (20) after it began in July 2005.
Archery, badminton, swimming, power lifting, cycling, wheel chair marathon, volleyball, table tennis, wheel chair tennis, air rifle firing, cricket and wheel chair basketball were among the major events in which the participants showed their guts and skills in an excellent manner. Other athletic events in the Meet too emerged prominent in the final Meet attracting the applause of the spectators.
Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Shantha Kottegoda graced the inaugural ceremony on Thursday morning. Sergeant K.V.C. Priyadarshana from Sri Lanka Light Infantry emerged as the Athlete of the Year.
Sri Lanka Light Infantry was awarded the Championship in the meet after it scored 411 points. Gajaba Regiment with 329 points and Commando Regiment with 208 points won the first and second runners-up places respectively.
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Daya Sandagiri gave away awards as the Chief Guest in the closing ceremony, the same day afternoon.
