Sri Lanka Defence Services complete 45 years in World Military Sports
Founded in February 18,
1948 in Nice, France, the International Military Sports Council (CISM) is one of the largest multi-disciplinary organisations in the world. Soldiers, who, previously, may have met on the battlefield, now meet in friendship on the sports field through its motto ‘ Friendship through Sports’. This is in accordance with the philosophy and ideals set in CISM’s 1998 mission statement signed by its member countries.
CISM annually organizes over 20 Military World Championships in different sports for all member nations. It also organizes continental and regional competitions and, every 4 years, the Military World Games (MWG) and Winter Games. In 2003, Sri Lanka secured its first medal at an MWG Championship, when LCpl Tharaka Madihahewa of the Sri Lanka Army won Bronze in the under 84 kg category, at the 15th World Military Taekwondo Championship in 2003, in Croatia.
The active participation of the Sri Lanka Military in the MWG commenced in 2007, at its 4th edition held in Hyderabad, India. A 45- member delegation represented Sri Lanka at the event in Parachuting, Sailing, Judo, Boxing, Shooting, Wrestling and Athletics. At the 5th MWG held in 2011, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Sri Lanka's Men’s Beach Volleyball team comprising Seaman Mahesh Perera and Wasantha Ratnapala became giant killers, when they beat the more fancied USA team 2 -1, to reach the semifinals. Sri Lanka's 4 x 400m Women’s relay quartet comprising Cpl Menaka Wickramasinghe, Pilot Officer Chandrika Subashini Ra sn ayake,PvtS.V.A. Kusumavathie and Pvt Champika Dilrukshi won Bronze , thus becoming the 1st medal winners for Sri Lanka at an MWG.
At the 6th MWG held in 2015 in Mungyeong, Korea, Sri Lanka' Men's 100m relay team comprising Pvt A. L. M. Ash raf, Cpl A. R. M. Rajaskhan, Pvt M.V.S. De Silva and Pvt A. M. Y. P. Abeykoon brought glory to motherland through their efforts in securing the Bronze medal. In 2016, Sri Lanka Indoor Volleyball team came to the limelight with an upset win against the formidable China team at the 35th International Men’s Military Volleyball Championship held at Teheran Iran. Ultimately, Sri Lanka placed fourth having going down in the semifinals.
The inaugural MWGs was held in 1995 in Rome. 93 nations competed in 17 different sporting events, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. The 1st CISM Winter World Games was held in 2010 in Italy, where more than 800 athletes from 43 countries competed.
To mark the presence of CISM worldwide, 2006 saw the birth of the CISM Day Run. The event brings together Sports Federations, Olympic Committees, and other International Sports Institutions in contact with the Armed Forces and Ministries of Defence. Since the first edition, in 2006, this special day is held worldwide every year on February 18. Nowadays, the CISM Day Run is the most important event to celebrate the anniversary of the CISM, and remains the date of its establishment. Sri Lanka is an active participant and organiser of the CISM Day Run.
Sri Lanka became a CISM member in 1974 and in its 40-year membership, it has actively contributed through a number of initiatives. Sri Lanka’s best contribution to CISM was in 2017 when Sri Lanka's Defence Services organised the 11th International Military Golf Championship from November 12-19, 2017, at the picturesque Sri Lanka Air Force Eagles’ Golf Links in China Bay, Trincomalee. More than 125 Men and Women Golfers from 12 countries participated at this historic event.