Madras BC all out to retain Deepam Trophy

Richard DWIGHT

The 72nd annual regatta and the 75th boat race between the Madras Boat Club (MBC) and the Colombo Rowing Club (CRC) will, commencing at 2.00 p.m. take place on Saturday, August 1 on the placid waters of the Beira Lake alongside the CRC.

The Boat Race which preceded the annual regatta, had its origin in 1898 and with their being no races on 36 occasions, stands out as the oldest boat race amongst clubs, the 75th to be specific. This with time broadened out with additional events, to give rise to the regatta - where the overall winner is awarded the Deepam Challenge trophy, that's for men while the overall winner in the women's category will be awarded the J.M. Perera trophy. The MBC will strive hard to retain the trophy it won last year in Madras, while the CRC will do its best to regain it, having last won it year before last, in 2007, in Colombo.

The Madras Boat Club is led by Sanjeev Kessu, whilst leading the Colombo Rowing Club will be Udesh Hettiarachchi.

The events making up the regatta for men and women, will be the Coxless Fours, Pairs, the Single and Double Sculls which is being introduced for the first time and a masters event as well.

The oarsmen/ women of both clubs are very much aware that the sport of rowing, calls for team work of a high order.

They will therefore be straining every muscle, sinew and nerve to out tow the other for rowing supremacy.

That which is characteristic to be salutary, is the oneness of spirit that has prevailed between these two longstanding clubs, steeped in tradition and history.

Apart from the competitive, healthy, rivalry that will be witnessed, there will also be the common bond of bon homie, camaraderie and fellowship which through the years has come to be the salient feature of these two clubs that has fervently stood in promoting sport at all times.