23rd January 2021 10:17:20 Hours
The 6th 'Silk Sports Award-2020' for the most outstanding contribution to talent development of sports while enriching and uplifting many youth talents in Sports was awarded last evening (22) to the Sri Lanka Army for its excellent management and upliftment of sports talents among the young in Sri Lanka. Organized by the SPORTSINFO, the Army was adjudged the Best Contributor to the growth of sports talents in the country. In a televised message to the occasion, General Shavendra Silva, Chairman, National Sports Selection Committee, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army extended his gratitude for the selection and reminded that it is the Army that has so far groomed and produced sportsmen to participate in Olympic Games and win Medals for Sri Lanka. Here follows his full message:
"At the onset, let me express my profound gratitude to the SPORTSINFO for recognizing the Sri Lanka Army as the Silk Most Outstanding Contribution to Talent Development of Sports in Sri Lanka at the 6th Silk Sports Awards 2020 - Sri Lanka.
The award indeed is a catalyst and encouragement for the Sri Lanka Army, who has explored the domain of sports beyond its classical posture as the warriors and defenders of the Nation. As you have connoted by your award “the Unsung Heroes Behind the Scene”, the Sri Lanka Army has been the largest contributor of sportsmen and women for Sri Lanka nationally and internationally. In that, I am proud to say that the Sri Lanka Army is the only organization that has produced Olympic medal winners to the mother Lanka. Therefore, as the Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Army and Chairman of National Sports Selection Committee, I accept your selection with utmost sense of honour.
It is with nostalgic feeling I mention, that members of the Sri Lanka Army than anyone else have participated in South Asian, Asian, Olympic and Paralympic Games and performed exceptionally well, being an example to all the sportsmen and women in Sri Lanka. Not limiting to the performances, the Sri Lanka Army has immensely contributed for uplifting the sports in Sri Lanka through developing sports related infrastructure facilities, coaching, providing army facilities to potential sportsmen and women and conducting training sessions.
Therefore, I feel, choosing the Sri Lanka Army as the Silk Most Outstanding Contribution to Talent Development of Sports in Sri Lanka at the 6th Silk Sports Awards 2020 - Sri Lanka makes the perfect accolade for that tremendous contribution. Let me emphasise that, the Sri Lanka Army will continue to render its fullest commitment to the sports of Sri Lanka in time to come as well.
Finally, let me thank and congratulate the SPORTSINFO and organizers of the 6th Silk Sports Awards 2020 for their outstanding effort to encourage the sportsmen and women and contributing to uplift and energies the field of sports in Sri Lanka by recognizing the true contributors to the sports and its betterment. I wish you good luck." Sport media | Nike Shoes
