'Enterprising' Sri Lankans run World Championship

by Richard Dwight on 20 Jan 2006 Sri Lanka’s visitor statistics are about to be given a real boost by the Enterprise World Championships in Negombo, sponsored by Sri Lanka Insurance, 11-19 February.

Sailing is on the up-and-up in Sri Lanka these days. The Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL) under the presidency of Joseph Kenny, has been running a Junior Development Programme. Coach cum co-ordinator, Jirasinha, acts as guide, mentor and friend to the youngsters - with assistance from British National Coach and selector, Alan Williams.

At the Junior Tri-nation South Asian Yachting regatta, held last month in Karachi, Sri Lankans Ishan Abeysekere, Devin Goonewardena, Nadine Rosayro and Indrajith Abayasena between them won two gold medals, a silver and bronze, and ran out as Overall Winners of the regatta.

The organisation of last year’s Enterprise Nationals at Negombo made the right impression on officials from the International Enterprise Association, Richard Esteaugh (current World Champion) from UK and Homi Motiwala, from India.

Joseph Kenny said, ‘we showed them that we had the organizational capability, the infrastructural facilities and sufficient accommodation for the participants to be able to host a World Championship.’

The Sports Ministry has always been promoting the cause of water sports and the

Minister of Sports, Jeevan Kumaratunga, has extended financial assistance to the event through the Sports Ministry.

The Sri Lanka Navy will be assisting with security matters as well as providing support boats and other equipment, whilst Metropolitan will assist in co-coordinating communications. Other sponsors include Jetwing and SriLankan Airlines. Sri Lanka Insurance is principal sponsor of the event.

Organisers YASL are expecting a fleet of around 75 boats with their respective crews from England, Ireland, Canada, India, Pakistan, Scotland and South Africa, not forgetting a Sri Lankan contingent which will includes a number of competitors from the Sri Lanka Navy.