Gleaming Colours Night 2021 recognizes Navy’s sporting talents
The much-anticipated Navy Colours Night – 2021, organized by Sri Lanka Navy Sports Board, eventuated with great pomp and circumstance at the Eagles' Lakeside, Attidiya this evening (09th March 2021). The colourful event was graced by Commander of the Navy and President Navy Sports Board, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, as the Chief Guest.
The event held with much excitement saw outstanding Navy sportsmen and women were awarded colours for their excellent performances exhibited in 39 sports disciplines out of 54 at Naval Command, Defence Services, national and international levels in 2017, 20018 and 2019.
Accordingly, 541 top achievers in Swimming, Archery, Track and Field, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Canoeing, Carrom, Chess, Cricket, Cycling, Football, Golf, Handball, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Lifesaving, Motocross, Shooting, Netball, Rowing, Rugby, Sailing, Squash, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Tug of War, Volleyball, Weightlifting, Windsurfing, Wrestling and Wushu got entitled as recipients of colours for their contribution in uplifting the Navy to the crest in sports. Working in line with the prevailing health and safety guidelines with the onset of pandemic situation, arrangements had been made to award Navy Colours to 250 of those athletes in today’s ceremony and the remainder of sportsmen and sportswomen will too get hold of their coveted recognition in due course.
Much to the delight of these athletes, the Navy recognized their achievements for bringing a lot of credit to the Navy, reaping the maximum benefits from the facilities and guidance made available by the Navy Sports Board. The stage of the Colours Night was not only adorned colour recipient, thus the coaches who knew exactly how to ignite passion and motivate their athletes, were also awarded special laurels by Commander of the Navy, in the event.
During the ceremony Lieutenant JA Nishshanka was awarded as the Best Sportsman - 2019 in Taekwondo. He has won a gold medal at the World Korean Ambassador’s Cup held in South Korea in 2019 and gold, silver and bronze medals in different individual Taekwondo events at the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal in 2019. As the officer is currently engaged in overseas training, his award was received by the Chairman of Navy Taekwondo Pool.
For winning a(01)gold medal in 800m at Taipei City Asian Grand Prix held in Taipei, a (01)silver medal in 800m at Asian Championships in India in 2017, a (01) gold medal in 1500m at Asian Indoor Athletics Championship, a (01)bronze medal in 800m at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018, Woman Able Seaman GAT Aberathna was adjudged the Best Sportswoman for both 2017 and 2018. Accordingly the best sportsman and sportswoman received their awards form Commander of the Navy - the Chief Guest of the evening.
Meanwhile, the Command Championship was also on offer for the inter-command overall champions in the past three years and it was secured by the Western Naval Command for the year 2017 and 2019. Incidentally, the Command Championship for the year 2018 was clinched by the Training Command.
As sports help in the physical and mental development of a person, such an individual can be strong and healthy and may overcome any challenge in life. In such a backdrop, the Navy strives to develop the sport to produce highly disciplined, competent, physically and mentally robust personnel who can contribute to the progression of the Navy.
Meanwhile, all the proceedings of the event had been meticulously arranged by the Navy Sports Board adhering to COVID 19 protocols. The event was also attended by President Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Sumith Weerasinghe, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Meril Sudarshana, Area Commanders, senior officers from the Board of Management and a cross section of officers and sailors as well.
