Swarnamali-Oarswoman of the Year 2008
Leslie FERNANDO
Musaeus College rowing captain for 2009 Swarnamali Wijesinghe was
named as 'The Oarswoman of the Year 2008' after her fine performances
during the period of April 2008 to April 2009 by the Colombo Rowing Club
together with the Amateur Rowing Association of Sri Lanka.
The 17-year-old Swarnamali won the trophy for the Oarswoman of the
Year 2008 due to hard work and dedication. She has brought honour and
glory to Musaeus College from the year 2005 under the captaincy of yet
another fine rower Uvini Atapattu.
Swarnamali said that rowing has become her passion and this is the
best and fantastic period of her life. Her target is to continue rowing
even after her school career and go for the Olympics or at least the
world championships and somehow win a gold medal and become a
professional oarswoman.
An 'A' Level student Swarnamali who started rowing at the age of 13
and it appears that rowing is in her blood. She is ever confident that
she will achieve her target.
She added that her first coach Ajith Gunawardena former Thomian and
Sri Lanka elite oarsman and former national coach for his guidance to
come to the top in rowing.
"Presently my coach Lasantha Welikala is continuing to support me in
a big way. I consider myself privileged to be the captain of a group of
24 dedicated girls who have gone through hours of rigorous training who
have stood by me in victory and defeat."
Swarnamali said that Musaeus College was the first girls school to
take up to rowing in 1998 followed by Ladies College. Rowing is a rare
sport that only few schools could afford to indulge. Furthermore one
needs much courage and daring to go out in the water but our rowers have
evinced much prowess in rowing with enthusiasm giving much of their
time, practising regularly.
Swarnamali's some achievements in rowing: 2007 - The Bengal Rowing
Club International School Regatta winner of Girls Fours event Swarnamali
(bow), Vinuri Jayasundera (2), Sachitra Jayathilake (3), Naduni Perera
(S), and Sanjeevani Kularatne (cox) 2007 Rowing Nationals - Swarnamali
became the under 16 champion, Wonchbel girls sculler of the year trophy,
under-19 champion in the girls pairs - Swarnamali (bow) and Naduni
Perera (stroke) (2) Girls fours champions - Sanjeevani Kularatne (C),
Naduni Perera (S), Sachitra Jayathilake (3), Vinuri Jayasundara (2),
Swarnamali (bow), Open four winner - Sanjeeva (C), Naduni (S), Sachitra
(3), Vinuri (2), Swarnamali (bow) 2008 - The Bengal Rowing Club
International School Regatta - winner of girls senior fours event,
winner of girls senior scull event. Rowing nationals - women's under-16
sculls winner, winner of school girl sculler of the year trophy, winner
of President's Trophy, winner ladies plate trophy. Winner - The
Oarswoman of the Year Trophy 2008.
She finally said that the much looked forward to annual Musaeus-Ladies
dual regatta and Ranter Sprints regatta and the forthcoming National
rowing championships will be a very good test to her team.
The crew is raring to go for bigger victories. |
