COLOMBO (Khyber Mail): The ‘Commandant’s Cup Sailing Regatta – 2024,’ organized for the fourth time by the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee, concluded successfully on August 21, 2024. The regatta, which began on August 18, was held in the picturesque waters of Sandy Bay. The prize awarding ceremony, hosted by Commandant NMA Commodore Rohan Joseph, was graced by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.
Supported by the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL), the tournament featured four categories: Open Championship ILCA 6, Cup Championship, Cup Championship Enterprise, and Cup Championship ILCA 6. The event saw participation from 22 officer under trainees from the Dalian Naval Academy (China), Indian Naval Academy, Pakistan Naval Academy, and NMA.
- Winners:
- Open Championship ILCA 6:
- 1st: Lieutenant (CDO) AKDS Zoysa
- 2nd: Lieutenant Commander (Naval Infantry) NW Lokuliyana
- 3rd: Lieutenant Commander (PWO) BPM Fernando
- Cup Championship:
- 1st: Officer Cadet Syed Sakhir Ali Shah, Saad Bin Khalid, Muhammad Abdullah Akram (Pakistan Naval Academy)
- 2nd: Officer Cadet P Kalyan Reddy, Boddapu Harish, Japman Avtar (Indian Naval Academy)
- 3rd: Officer Cadet Chen Zhi Hang, Xu Jia Hao, Deng Kuang Heng (Dalian Naval Academy – China)
- Cup Championship Enterprise:
- 1st: Officer Cadet Saad Bin Khalid, Muhammad Abdullah Akram (Pakistan Naval Academy)
- 2nd: Officer Cadet Boddapu Harish, Japman Avtar (Indian Naval Academy)
- 3rd: Officer Cadet Xu Jia Hao, Deng Kuang Heng (Dalian Naval Academy – China)
- Cup Championship ILCA 6:
- 1st: Officer Cadet P Kalyan Reddy (Indian Naval Academy)
- 2nd: Officer Cadet Syed Sakhir Ali Shah (Pakistan Naval Academy)
- 3rd: Officer Cadet Chen Zhi Hang (Dalian Naval Academy – China)
The event showcased strong camaraderie and sportsmanship among the officer under trainees from participating nations, promising an exciting experience and attracting tourists to Sri Lanka’s aquatic sports scene.
Distinguished guests included Commander Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Commander Eastern Naval Area designate Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Director General Training Buddhika Liyanagamage, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Eastern Naval Command, senior officers from Naval Academies of China, India, and Pakistan, members of YASL, and the Sri Lanka Navy Sailing Club.