By Hishan Welmilla
The “So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 Men’s QS3000”, set for the magnificent surf at Arugam Bay Eastern part of Sri Lanka.
This event has been extremely well-received by professional surfers from all over the world and The So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 Men’s QS3000 will run from 25-29 September.
With entries still coming in, already around 100 surfers from 18 nations have entered the event.
The list of nationalities up to now includes Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Belgium, USA, Indonesia, Brazil, Peru, Canada, Argentina, France, South Africa, Great Britain, and Chile.
The Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka together with Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Lanka Sportreizen (LSR), Sri Lankan Airline have work together with the several government institutions to bring this event to the center stage with an outstanding support from the Prime Minister’s Office of Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka Pro 2019 Men’s QS3000 will also play as a huge opportunity for some of the local surfers to take on the international professionals.. Sri Lankan Surfers will also get a chance to compete in a special event and get themselves to qualify for the main event two days prior to the main event which they will have an opportunity to earn few wild cards.
“It is fantastic to see so many different nationalities already entered into the So Sri Lanka Pro,” said Steve Robertson – Regional Manager Asia & Global VNR Producer – World Surf League (WSL)
“The event is extremely important for all these surfers with essential qualification points aligned to the world rankings. With great waves also very likely to greet these surfers they have shown their approval for the event with entries coming in from all over the world.”
The Chairman LSR Thilak Weerasinghe believe that this will bring more international events to Sri Lanka and with the natural surfing points available in the Island nation throughout the year Sri Lanka is a very popular sporting destination as far as International surfing is concern.
“ Sri Lanka blessed with natural resources which can be turn in to many sporting venues for global event. Surfing points are one of them where you get the required waves within short period of time in the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. We are glad to be part of the event as we are more into promoting water sports in Sri Lanka and also held many other Pro surfing event as well” said Weerasinghe.
LSR also operates Water Sports Centers providing the following Water Sports Facilities: Scuba Diving, Water Skiing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, Sailing, Boat Cruises, Jet Scooter Rides, Speed Boat Rides, Tube Rides, Banana Boat Rides, and Deep Sea Fishing etc.
Kishu Gomes Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau also present at the occasion with the Minister of Tourism Development and Christian Religious Affairs John Amaratunga.
The impact of having this kind of events in Sri Lanka has created a bigger role in creating a good picture among the overseas visitors that Sri Lanka is safe destination to travel and there is no security fear in the island nation special after the unexpected Easter Sunday Bomb blasts said Kishu Gomes.
“After Easter attacks in last April Sri Lanka had a small set back in the Industry of Tourism. Sri Lankan security officials have co
nfirmed that the Sri Lanka is safe to travel. But with this event Sri Lanka got a very important remarks from the International security experts that Sri Lankan is really safe to travel. World Surf League has deployed a special security officer overseas to ascertain the security level of Sri Lanka . He has endorsed Sri Lanka safe to conduct international events of this magnitude” said Gomes.
Many of these surfers are very well known within the world professional surfing ranks and many are serious contenders to represent their nations in next year’s 2020 Japan Olympic Games, where surfing makes its Olympic debut.
President of the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka Hiran Ukwatta stated that this is one of the international events which Sri Lanka keen on hosting.
“ The last international Surfing event was held in 2011 and we are happy to bring back the glory of International surfing events back to Sri Lanka. I must thank all the sponsors , government institutions specially Prime Minister’s Office ,Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and LSR for joining hands along with Sri Lankan Airlines” stated Ukwatta.
One such surfer is the fast emerging Rio Waida from Indonesia. The powerful youngster placed 3rd in the WSL World Junior Championships in 2018 and he
is already identified as future star of the sport.
“I am very excited to be coming to Sri Lanka for this great event” said Waida. “I’ve heard great things about the waves in Sri Lanka and it is always fantastic for us to have the opportunity to compete in quality surf – I can’t wait!”
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