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05th August 2022 12:16:36 Hours
“Glorious Volunteering, Spirits of Battle Hardened, Beginning for Excellence”
In the wake of a couple of years past mingled with barrenness due to societal concerns of the country and the globe, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Athletics Championships – 2022, one of the major itineraries of this year, was successfully realized crowning the collective endeavor waiting to be as a possible certainty, and the closing ceremony of the Sri Lanka Army, Volunteer Force, Para and Novices Athletics Championships - 2022 was taken place integratedly at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama on 04th August 2022 with the gracious presence of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General H L V M Liyanage RWP RSP ndu as the Chief Guest.
The Chief Guest on arrival to the premises was warmly welcomed by Major General D G S Senarath Yapa RWP RSP ndu, the Commandant of the Volunteer Force, Colonel of the Regiment of the Special Forces and the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Army, Para and Novices Athletics and Sky Diving, and two athletes of pursuers who passed the legacy of a sporting generation. Representing all three tournaments, the welcome remarks were delivered by the Commandant and the sequence of the finals of the event lined up adding glamour to the closing day.
The preliminary athletics competitions of the Volunteer Force, Para, and Novices were performed separately on scheduled dates, and Volunteer Force Athletics took place from 2nd August to 4th August at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Diyagama under the auspicious of the Commandant of the Volunteer Force. The Volunteer Force Athletics Championships which assembled 775 athletes competed reflecting spirits of volunteering adorned with sporting skills and contested as Inter Regiment (men) and Inter Battalion (women) under fifty (50) track and field disciplines demonstrating their competencies heralding the pride and honour of the establishment.
In retrospect of the achievements of the sports in the Volunteer Force during the past years, sportsmen and women immensely contributed to the national and international arena from winning the first Olympic Medal to notable achievements passed through generations. Indeed, this occasion ascended would undoubtedly shape the souls of the sportsmen and women for pursuing their rays of success. It is highly commendable to mention that the Volunteer Force as the oldest military organization in this land deserves the salutation of the nation for its liabilities carried out on this soil's behalf. This national prospect which reinforces the quality enhancement of the establishment is considered one of the prime responsibilities that earn celebrity and honour for the nation.
Volunteer Force, Para, and Novices Athletics Championships of the Sri Lanka Army staged, are peculiar in their own identity that serves to refine skills, reinforce alliances and intimidate potential rivals. The Sri Lanka Army Para Athletics Championship originated with the determination to reflect on the unwavering spirits and skills of war veterans who had been injured during wartime. 230 and 597 athletes of Sri Lanka Army Para and Novices respectively contested in the Athletics Championships under varied track and field disciplines demonstrating their competencies heralding the pride and honour of the establishment.
In determining the swaths of obligations vested on the shoulder, the Commandant as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Army, Para and Novices Athletics and Sky Diving took the initiative to conduct the closing ceremony of the Championships as a collective culmination claimed for an economical conclusion under the directions and blessings of the Commander of the Army. The utmost recognition of conducting the Athletics Championships without leaving it from the hand is to serve humanity and promote the ideals of humanity assuring the wellbeing and the dignity of untiring souls of sporting. The circumstance that arrived this year provided a number of war-hardened athletes and sports personnel to participate in the Athletics Championships, inspiring the nation with optimism. Indeed, major sports tournaments organized as championships of the Sri Lanka Army under different designations inspire communities all over the world to aim higher and higher, beyond any limitations. Such an event included in the schedule of the year fosters emotional and physical upbringing, which bridges their future ahead and the energy and talent of the athletes demonstrate that the human spirit knows no boundaries.
The glamour of the event was escalated by spectacular cultural shows performed by Army Bands and Performing Arts. The March Past advanced in honour of the height of the tournaments was accepted by the Commander of the Army at the Saluting Dias. The vote of thanks was made by Brigadier M T K R Silva KSP, the Inspector of Training evoking much appreciation and gratitude extended by all the parties for the successful completion of the Athletics Championships of the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff and Chairman, Army Sports Committee, Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier Vipula Ihalage, General Officer Commanding, 58 Division and Vice Chairman, Army Para Athletic Committee, Brigadier Raja Gunasekara, Chairman, Army Handball Committee attended in awarding certificates and trophies for the achievers. The declaration of the ceremonial closing was proclaimed by the Chief Guest, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army following the awarding of championship trophies of Volunteer Force, Para, and Novices Championships of the Sri Lanka Army in the year 2022.The summary of the best achievers in the finals is as follows.
Championship Trophy: Men's Category - Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) Women's Category - Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC) Runner-up: Men's Category - Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) Women's Category - Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC)
Championship Trophy: Men's Category - Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) Runner-up: Men's Category - Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR)
Championship Trophy: Men's Category - Gemunu Watch (GW) Women's Category - 5 Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps (SLAWC) Runner-up: Men's Category - Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) Women's Category - Sri Lanka Signal Corps (SLSC)
