The biggest event of the year in rowing, namely the National Championships will be held from September 14 to the 20 at the Beira Lake.

At least thirteen teams will participate in this gala event which is a sporting and social draw card. In addition there is added motivation for the competitors.

Coach of the Sri Lanka’s National Rowing team Lakmal Wickremage speaking to The Sunday Times said; “We want to send a team for the Junior Championships that will be held in Hong Kong in November. We will be using the nationals as guideline to see if there are any who up to the standard which is required the overseas event.”

He added; “There are three categories at the nationals namely the junior category for the under 16 age group, the intermediate which for under 19 and the open event. In each age group and the open there will be four events as in the single scull, double scull, a pair and the fours. The only exception is the schoolboy and girl event where there is just the single scull. I reckon there will be at least 300 competitors vying for honours at the nationals.

The teams that have confirmed their participation so far are; the Colombo Rowing Club, Airforce, Navy, Royal College Colombo, S. Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, Ananda College Colombo, St. Joseph’s College Colombo, Musaeus College, Ladies College, Colombo University, Moratuwa University, Old Joes and Asian International College.

Incidentally, last year Asian International College competed under the Colombo Rowing Club Banner. But this year they have registered themselves at the Rowing association and thus will compete as mentioned above.

The finals for all the events will be held on September 20. So keep the date free.