A Gala Opening For 6th Defense Services Games 2010
1:30pm on Saturday 4th September 2010
The 6th Defense Services Games, 2010 was declared open at the Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium last evening (September 3) with much pomp and pageantry by the President of the Defense Service Sports Board, Chief of Defense Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke.
Also in attendance were the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and several other high-ranking officers from all three forces.
In the spirit of camaraderie and true sportsmanship athletes participating at the Games paraded the stadium waving team flags at the crowd to the cheers and applause of their colleagues. Following this, the torch bearers of the Games ran the length of the stadium before lighting the Olympic flame to the sound of drums.
After marching in and the hoisting of the Defense Services Flag, the Chairman of the Defense Services Games 2010, Air Vice Marshal Anura Silva invited the President of the Defense Service Sports Board, Chief of Defense Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke to declare open the Games.
This was followed by the athletes, represented by the three captains of the teams and officials participating at the Games taking the oaths at the podium as per tradition of sports.
The celebratory mood of the opening ceremony began after the athletes marched out and the spectators were treated to a spectacular display by the Tri Services cultural pageant. Dancers representing the three traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka; Kandyan, Low Country and Sabaragamu, gave an outstanding on the quadrangle at the center of the stadium.
A tri services squad next took the field for the commencement of the drill display under the floodlights of the stadium, steeping out of their usual drill routines and performing exceptionally symmetrical drill formations.
Following the dancers and drummers were the Tri Service Band display which saw the performance of some well loved tunes. The day’s event drew to a close with the highlight of the evening, a magnificent fire works display, throwing ignited sparks into the twilight sky.
Over a hundred athletes from the three armed forces of Sri Lanka, Air Force, Army and Navy will be participating at this eagerly awaited event in the sports calendar. The latest feature of the Defense Services Games, the “President Mahinda Rajapakse Challenge Trophy”, will be up for grabs for the second consecutive year infusing a strong impetus into the enthusiasm of participating competitors.
Cultural Display
Drill display
Band Display
Also in attendance were the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and several other high-ranking officers from all three forces.
In the spirit of camaraderie and true sportsmanship athletes participating at the Games paraded the stadium waving team flags at the crowd to the cheers and applause of their colleagues. Following this, the torch bearers of the Games ran the length of the stadium before lighting the Olympic flame to the sound of drums.
After marching in and the hoisting of the Defense Services Flag, the Chairman of the Defense Services Games 2010, Air Vice Marshal Anura Silva invited the President of the Defense Service Sports Board, Chief of Defense Staff and Commander of the Air Force Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke to declare open the Games.
This was followed by the athletes, represented by the three captains of the teams and officials participating at the Games taking the oaths at the podium as per tradition of sports.
The celebratory mood of the opening ceremony began after the athletes marched out and the spectators were treated to a spectacular display by the Tri Services cultural pageant. Dancers representing the three traditional dance forms of Sri Lanka; Kandyan, Low Country and Sabaragamu, gave an outstanding on the quadrangle at the center of the stadium.
A tri services squad next took the field for the commencement of the drill display under the floodlights of the stadium, steeping out of their usual drill routines and performing exceptionally symmetrical drill formations.
Following the dancers and drummers were the Tri Service Band display which saw the performance of some well loved tunes. The day’s event drew to a close with the highlight of the evening, a magnificent fire works display, throwing ignited sparks into the twilight sky.
Over a hundred athletes from the three armed forces of Sri Lanka, Air Force, Army and Navy will be participating at this eagerly awaited event in the sports calendar. The latest feature of the Defense Services Games, the “President Mahinda Rajapakse Challenge Trophy”, will be up for grabs for the second consecutive year infusing a strong impetus into the enthusiasm of participating competitors.
Cultural Display
Drill display
Band Display
