Delft Island Children achieving great success in Canoeing – By Admiral Ravindra C Wijegunaratne
With blessings of Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and his lady and President of Sri Lanka Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Mala Lamahewha, Navy conducted National Canoeing and Kayaking Competition at Jaffna lagoon last September. It was a difficult task as boats / equipment and teams required to be transported to Jaffna. Under able leadership of President of National Association in Canoeing and Kayaking in Sri Lanka (NACKSL) Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumaratunge and tremendous hard work by Secretary of NACKSL Captain Wijesiri – injured Navy Special Forces (SBS) officer and their staff this National Regatta held at Jaffna lagoon near picturesque Jaffna Dutch Fort.
Delft Dragon Boat Rowing teams on 13th December 2024 at Walisara
What is interesting in the Regatta was Boys and Girls teams from Delft Maha Vidyalum beat all Colombo Schools in Dragon Boat category after just one week of training !
It was amazing to see these youngsters from very humble backgrounds paddling together as a team and winning both the categories convincingly.
Practicing at Diyawanna Oya
President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit who was present with Chief Secretary of Northern Province, Mr L Ilangovan kept her promise and arranged these talented Northern Children to visit Colombo last week and to undergo special training sessions at Diyawanna Oya Navy Rowing Club under proper Coaches.
Out of 42 children who visited Colombo under Navy arrangements, 32 of them first time in Colombo. They were delighted. Other leading Schools joined with these children at Navy Rowing Club and now they have friends in Delft Island when they visit Jaffna next time and enjoy breakfast at Deft Island – Pittu, Soodai curry and sambol !
Delft Dragon boats youngest member (girl) receiving her gift from Mrs Mala Lamahewa
The children were hosted to Dinner by me at Navy’s Wave-N-Lake Restaurant at Walisara and First Lady of Navy had a gift each for all these children.Can someone sponsor these children to buy two Dragon Boats ?
Bottom line is Canoeing in their blood. They paddle “Theppam” with their fathers every morning, before going to school for fishing ! No wonder they are “ children of Nature”
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