Year’s Pride of Athletics Kicked Off with More Than 1500 Athletes

The much-awaited mega athletic event of the year, the 54th ‘Army Inter Regiment Athletics Championship - 2017’ got off the ground at Diyagama Stadium, Homagama this morning (3) amid all due ceremonials.

Major General Rohana Bandara, Director General Army Sports graced as the Chief Guest for the inaugural ceremony. Major General Sudath Perera, Chairman, Army Athletic Committee welcomed the day’s Chief Guest on arrival. The Chief Guest inaugurated the Athletic Competition by lighting the ‘Olympic torch’.

More than 20 Army-produced reputed athletes who have brought Gold, Silver and Bronze medals home having competed in many international athletics meets abroad were there to witness this exciting event, together with many reputed athletes in the country.

During this 3-day long Athletics Championship at Homagama, approximately 1500 young and experienced Army athletes, representative of all 24 Regimental Headquarters of the Army are expected to showcase their athletic prowess in this annual event, comprised of track and field events.

Since the inception of the Army Athletics Committee in 1950, chaired 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 Athletic Meet, etc, have so far succeeded in securing Gold medals, Silver medals and Bronze medals, a record achievement which no other single establishment in the country has attained to-date.

Brigadier Anura Sudasingha, Director Army Sports, Brigadier Chandana Ranaweera, Secretary to Army Athletic Committee and several Senior Officers of the Army, members of the Army Athletic Committee were associated with Tuesday’s opening ceremony.

The under-mentioned Army Athletes established 4 new game records and a new Army Athletic meet record on the first day of the competition.

Corporal D.A.G.J.P Wimalasiri - Long Jump Men’s Event - 8.13 Meters

Private D.S Ranasinghe - Javelin Throw Men’s Event - 78.7 Meters

Private E.K Madushani - 400 m Hurdle Women’s Event - 1.01.19 Minutes

Private K.K Kumari - 10000 m Women’s Event - 37.35.2 Minutes