Air Force fly high

Overall champions at 5th Defence Services Games

Bernard PERERA

Sri Lanka Air Force won the overall championship of the 5th Defence Services Games 2009 which came to an end on Sunday. The Award Ceremony was held yesterday at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium with the Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga as Chief Guest. This year’s games was organised by Sri Lanka Navy. The organising committee was chaired by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe.

Sri Lanka Air Force men and women won eleven events out of 22 sports disciplines, while their closest rivals too had the same number of championship victories. But the organizers had a to award the championship to the Air Force as they had eleven runner-up positions compared to Sri Lanka Navy’s nine.

The highlight at the games was the new Sri Lanka record established by Navy’s women Triple Jumper N.C.D. Priyadharshani who had a leap of 13.39 meters. She also won the women’s Long Jump to win two gold medals. Priyadharshani received the challenge, trophy awarded by Navy Commander for Navy’s best Athlete. Chaminda Wijekoon of Sri Lanka Army was declared as Army’s Best performer and was awarded the Army Commander’s Challenge Trophy for the most outstanding Army Athlete. Chaminda Wijekoon to receive this award he performed well to win the 1500m and the 5000m events at the athletic championships.

Airwoman R.M.C.S. Rasnayake received the trophy on offer for the Air Force’s Best Performers Challenge Trophy offered by the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force for the Defence Services Games. Rasnayake was the only competitor to win a triple gold at the games. During the athletic championships he went on to win the 100, 200 and 400 meters respectively.

The other highlight of the 2009 games was made by the Sri Lanka Air Force when they won the men and women volleyball titles. They have been dominating in this sport in the past too. Also the Weight lifters from Air Force created history winning eight out of nine weight categories competed at the games.

Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunge addressing the gathering said that all three forces fought a grim battle as one unit to safeguard the country’s sovereignty. This brought in peace to the country and today they have got an opportunity to indulge in sporting activities in a good frame of mind. When engaged in sports the three Forces have fought on the sporting field to prove their talents in 22 disciplines. It is only one side wins the other loses. This helps sportsmen and women to take victory and defeat in a sporting manner.

He further added that when people indulge in sports they build character and leadership. These are two qualities needed to have a better and also a healthy society. The Defence Services Games are contested between three Forces which also unites them.

They indulge in sports according to rules specified for the sport and it is well looked after by the referees and umpires. The Forces’ sportsmen and women have to maintain discipline according to rules of the game. Their behaviour on the sports arena should be an example to others. During these games I am sure it has been conducted on the correct guidelines that is the main reason for such a colourful closing ceremony.

He also said that now the time has come for our servicemen to engage in sports to bring glory to their respective services and also to improve further to reach national levels to enter the international arena to bring honour to their country. Chairman of the Defence Services Games 2009 organizing committee Navy commander Thisara Samarasinghe thanked the Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunetilleke and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Jagath Jayasooriya for the unstinted co-operation extended to make this Games a success.

The closing ceremony was made more colourful with all three services presenting a colourful cultural pageant.