The national para-rowing team has adorned mother Lanka with numerous achievements, both local and beyond the Sri Lankan boundaries. Bearing the vision of being victorious internationally in the sport of para-rowing through skill development of differently abled team comprises of differently-abled souls with will and determination higher than those with no disability at all. Yet, the unfortunate story is that the national team has secured all these victories with the least facilities to do their regular training and practices. Time has come to listen to their voices and to join hands to give these talented athletes wings to fly higher.
First appearance in para Olympics
Lasantha Welikala, the national para-rowing coach introduced para-rowing to the national para-Olympics committee in 2013 with the guidance of General Ampemohotti and Col. Herath. Today there is a contingent of over 20 athletes including 11 female athletes and over 20 male athletes. Among them are children in the years of 11, 13, and 16. The team has taken part in the Asian Championship in 2015 which was their first international appearance. The team was able to create history in rowing for the first time.
An Asian medal was won by the para rower Sergeant J.A.M.P Jayakody at the men’s singles sculls and also Dr. Samitha Samanmali won a bronze for single sculls in PR 01 in the women’s category. That is historic, because it was the first time an Asian medal was won by any rower whether able or disabled. Their victory made them qualified for the para–Olympics Continental qualification regatta which is coming up this month in Japan. Welikala said that he was confident that the athletes would do well and that they have a good chance of getting selected for the Olympics. He also said that they have been training for the Asian games 2022 as well.
Dr. Samitha Samanmali who is currently serving at the Ragama rehabilitation hospital joined rowing in 2019. Before that, she has played wheelchair tennis and wheelchair badminton rather as a leisure activity. She said that her encounter with para-rowing team took place with the help of a friend unexpectedly.
She also added that her coach, Welikala encouraged her to do better with which, she received the opportunity to take part at the Asian championships under PR 01 category in October 2019, where she won the bronze medal for Sri Lanka.
As a result of this victory, she became eligible for the para Olympics continental qualification regatta for which she is training at the moment. She is of firm determination to be qualified for the Olympics.
Minimum facilities
Currently, the para-rowing practices are done at Diyawanna lake since there is no dedicated practising infrastructure for the team. The team is utilising the facilities granted for the Army rowing club by collaborating with them. She also stated that they face numerous hardships due to the absence of proper facilities especially since each rower possesses some form of a disability, particularly since there are athletes on wheelchairs and crutches as well. Even with these basic facilities, Dr. Samanmali proudly recalled how she and para rower Jayakody were able to win several medals for the country. She also said that they would be very grateful if they could receive the required infrastructure facilities to carry out their training.
Para rower Sergeant Mahesh Priyamal Jayakody started his journey in para-rowing in 2015. He has received successful training in China and also has taken part in several games there. But after returning to Sri Lanka, he states that he did not have sufficient facilities such as boats, to continue his training.
After acknowledging his requirement, the former Commander of the Army has bought a Para Boat for him. Using that boat para-rowing practices are currently done at the Diyawanna lake. He said that with just one para boat, it is very difficult to develop the sport of para-rowing in the country and to take it to the future. He also highlighted that there is a dearth of need for more boats for training. He wholeheartedly invited those who have a passion for rowing to join hands with para-rowing and to get on board in the voyage towards taking part at the para Olympics.
Support needed to go further
This indeed is an eye-opener to all citizens of the country to get a clear view of the hard circumstances the country’s national athletes undergo in the process of bringing victory to their motherland while hoisting the lion flag high up in the air. We invite all donors and well-wishers to make your kind contributions to make their dream of having a fleet of scull boats to facilitate their training which will empower these magical rowers to make Sri Lanka prouder in the days to come.