First ever cycling carnival in Trincomalee
Bernard Perera
The people of Trincomalee District who use the bicycle as their main
mode of Transport will get the opportunity to show the liking for the
cycle when they are given the opportunity to appear at the cycling
carnival on September 12.
In the past it was only the riders who participated in cycling races
got the opportunity to compete. But this latest carnival will pave the
way for the Postmen, Fish Mongers, Family Health officers, Sweep
sellers, school children and others who use the cycle as their mode for
their profession. According to the organisers these cycle users have to
compete in these different categories fully dressed in their
professional uniform. Specially
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Keerthi B. Kotagama the Managing Director/CEO/CIC Agri Business
handing over the sponsorship cheque to Minister for Nation
Building, Susantha Punchinilame for the Cycling Carnival to be
staged in Trincomalee along with the Eastern Resurgence
Programme. Also in the picture are Shehan D. Fernando Co-ordinating
Secretary to the Minister, Amal Suriyage, President NMBA and
officer for Development Program cycling, Wasantha
Kahapolaarachchi, VP NMBA and Patrick Hapuarachchi VP NMBA. -
Picture by Ranjith Jayaweera. |
the Postmen, Family Health officials are required to be clad in their
uniforms.
The events will be conducted in the town area of Trincomalee which
the route will be of 10 kilo meters. There will also be events for boys
under 19 which will serve a trial to set up a pool of 15 cyclists to
undergo training to become real race riders for the future, said Amal
Suriyage. He said that this program will be staged in all 25 districts.
From every district 15 boys will be selected and will be given
training to become racing cycle riders. Once all these training is done
we hope to have at least 25 riders to take up cycling as their main
sport. This we do is to develop the sport with the fullest co-operation
of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka headed by K.P.P. Pathirana.
The President wants the future to be bright for the sport with this
intention the Federation will go flat out to find new talent. This is
the first stage of the programme, said Suriyage. Minister for Nation
Building Susantha Punchinilame who addressed the Media said that after
three decades the people of Eastern Province are enjoying the free
movement. This sort of activities will certainly cheer them up as they
have not seen a event for a long period of time. With Eastern Province
development taking place at a hectic pace sporting events of this nature
will give them more encouragement to engage in sporting activities.
The Minister thanked the sponsors Bank of Ceylon, CIC Agri Business
and Singer Sri Lanka Ltd. for their willingness to come forward to help
this worthy cause.
Suriyage said that entry forms will be published in all National
newspapers and all interested to be part of this carnival should use
this entry forms.
Answering a question Suriyage agreed to include an event for under 19
girls too. Earlier this was included into the program which produced to
the Media. He also said that the Sports Ministry too has given the green
light for the event. |
