The Rowing Crew representing the Colombo Rowing Club will be heading off to Chennai, India to participate in the 75th ARAE-FEARA Rowing Championship held from the 10th to the 15th of January 2017.
The regatta hosted by the Amateur Rowing Association of the East (ARAE) and the Far East Amateur Rowing Association (FEARA) will be held for the 75th consecutive year reaching a milestone in its history. This year, the regatta will feature the participation of approximately 250 oarsmen and women representing Rowing Clubs from over 7 countries, including India, Dubai, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Pakistan.
The Colombo Rowing Club has had a strong run maintaining a brilliant track record at the regatta, winning a number of gold medals, over the years. In 2016, the women’s team of five, representing the Colombo Rowing Club, managed to bag the overall category.
This year’s crew will be led by Shehan Muthugala, the most experienced campaigner, who started rowing at his alma mater, Royal College. Shehan will lead a 16 man crew heading into the regatta. Speaking to ThePapare.com, he said “The crew has been working hard for the past 5 months aiming for the ARAE-FEARA regatta and we are confident that we can win a number of gold medals for the Club”
The Crew comprises of Sajeev de Silva, Ruven Weerasinghe, Manilka Guneratne, Sajin de Livera, Peter Christy, Amani Tissera, Janethri Marapana, Ishika de Silva and Samaakhya Gajanayake adding to the more experienced side of oarsmen and women for the Rowing Club crew, while Hashen Hettigoda, Prathap Perera, Lasaru Kudaligama Nadun Hettiarachchi, Dilki Wijesekara, Ishara Abbey will be the young blood in the team coming in from schools’ rowing.
Representing the Masters segment for the FEARA Regatta will be Nalin Premaratne in the Single Scull and John de Niese, M.V.P de Silva, Maheel Gamage and Varuna Silva in the Coxed fours.
The duty of the Head Coach was undertaken by the coach of S.Thomas’ College and Musaeus College, Mr. Mark Maurice.
Furthermore, Captain Shehan Muthugala added, “despite being from different backgrounds, the Crew has a good bond, thus making us a strong team and we look forward to having a great regatta this year”.
We wish Shehan Muthugala and his team the very best of luck for the 75th ARAE-FEARA Regatta!
