Sports
Sri Lanka is becoming a very popular sports destination. Tourism and Sports and given high priority and many international events are being added to our domestic schedule. The South Asian Games have been held in Sri Lanka, as have Davies Cup Tennis, Triatholons and Marathons, and Sri Lanka will play co-host for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The infrastructure is already in place. Why not have your next sporting adventure in Sri Lanka ?
Cricket “is” a religion in Sri Lanka. It was introduced to the country by the British during the imperial rule in 1832, but it would be sometime before the pupils surpassed their masters, but when they did it was to be on the grandest stage of all. Sri Lanka’s victory in Lahore to be crowned World Cup winners in 1996, took the popularity of the sport to a different level. The national teams’ stars are heroes, with adults and children trying to emulate their prowess on every available strip of land. Of course when the team are in action the country comes to a virtual standstill as their progress is monitored from homes, workplaces and even shopping malls. Not even public quoted company board rooms are safe.
In recent years Sri Lanka has established itself as a perfect destination for school and club tours. The local teams are highly competitive, but maintain their customary hospitality towards their opposition. In the last few years there have been well over many teams playing and touring Sri Lanka, and spouses, families and spectators join as there is so much to see and do. Some years have seen up to 30 teams visiting.
The English cricket team will be touring in 2007, as will many other teams in the near future. Sri Lanka will play host to the Cricket World Cup in 2011. Visit : www.srilankacricket.lk
Golf
Sri Lanka boasts a growing golfing industry. Sri Lankan golfers are slowly making their mark in the international circuit and new golf courses are being developed to cater to the increasing domestic and international demand. The main cities of Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya have a course ( in the case of Colombo, the second is almost completed – and is already open).
These three cities offer such a variety of activities, excursions and 19th hole facilities, that golfers and their spouses never seem to get enough. Helicopter and sea plane transfers make the journey between each course a mere 30 minutes instead of 3-4 hours. During a classical tour of the country ( see page .. for a sample itinerary), you visit all three of these cities.
Don’t think that playing against Sri Lankan will be a walk in the park, some players are getting some good international exposure as golf is increasingly becoming a serious sport in Sri Lanka.
Colombo
Royal Colombo Golf Club (www.rcgcsl.com or www.royalcolombogolf.lk ) is the oldest at 125 years and the second oldest Royal Golf Club in Asia. The tournament started in 1891, and hence is the second longest run in the world.
Situated just fifteen minutes drive from the heart of the commercial capital Colombo and most of thehotels. This means that great shopping, city tours, and restaurants are close by. (see page …for more information on Colombo)
At 6560 yards this par 71 course intertwines between housing estates of various shapes and sizes, cattle grazing grounds and a unique railway track that can take both narrow and wide gauge trains powered by both modern engines as well as the original coal fired steam engines.
A separately accessible practice range with 20 slots, is open from 6.00 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. daily except Mondays. Current rate is GBP 4 approximately per day per person. Range Balls are GBP 2 approximately per 100 balls.
All the facilities offered in a modern clubhouse are available in a captivating mix of old world charm and contemporary style. From an open bar and restaurant next to a spacious golfers lounge to air conditioned fine dining restaurant and wine bar the members and visitors are treated to a reasonable variety of fare at better than reasonable prices.
For more details / reservations contact:
– Tel: +94 (0)11 2695431/2675952/2691401/4403685
– Fax: +94 (0)11 2687592
– E-mail: info@royalcolombogolf.lk
For more details / reservations contact:
– Tel: +94 (0)11 2695431/2675952/2691401/4403685
– Fax: +94 (0)11 2687592
– E-mail: info@royalcolombogolf.lk
Waters Edge (www.watersedge.lk) is the new course in Colombo, and is in close proximity to the Royal Colombo course. Facilities include accommodation.
Kandy
Victoria Golf and Country Resort (www.victoriagolf.lk) is set on the edge of one of our largest dams, the Victoria Dam. It can be reached by flying in and landing on the dam itself using a SriLankan Air Taxi (www.srilankan.aero). Golfers stay on site or in Kandy - one of Sri Lanka’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Kandy offers an array of activity and excursions including the Temple of the Tooth Relic, meditation centres, the Royal Botanical Gardens, and close by excursions to Sigiriya, Dambulla and Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. . (see page …for more information on Kandy)
The Victoria Golf course is situated approximately 30 minutes drive from Kandy, which lies between Colombo and Nuwara Eliya. Surrounded by the Victoria reservoir and guarded jealously by the Knuckles Range of mountains, the resort has already made its mark internationally being rated by Golf Digest as amongst the top 100 most beautiful golf courses in the world and more recently as the best golf course in South Asia.
Built to USGA standards, this undulating 6945 yard par 73 course was designed by an internationally reputed golf architect Donald Steel, who still maintains that Victoria is the best of his works despite having been involved in golf course projects in many of the most exotic destinations in the world.
Words and pictures just cannot do justice to describe the “Wow” one feels when entering the premises. The first time golfing visitor would do well to study the course strategy for each hole prior to playing it. There is a different challenge for the better players who are willing to take greater risks for greater rewards, while at the same time the rewards are sweet even for the no risk average golfer. However, complacency is punished, so be on your guard at all times.
Victoria also boasts of one of the most spectacular driving ranges which challenge the long hitter to reach the waters of the lake below.
Although it is 500 metres above sea level, temperatures at Victoria have a wide range from extremely hot at mid-day to cool at night.
The clubhouse has all the basic facilities required for golfers from changing rooms, golf shop, club hire, caddies - male and female, licensed restaurant and bar. A 20 meter length swimming pool and tennis court are recent additions at the resort
Victoria also boasts of one of the most spectacular driving ranges which challenge the long hitter to reach the waters of the lake below.
Although it is 500 metres above sea level, temperatures at Victoria have a wide range from extremely hot at mid-day to cool at night.
The clubhouse has all the basic facilities required for golfers from changing rooms, golf shop, club hire, caddies - male and female, licensed restaurant and bar. A 20 meter length swimming pool and tennis court are recent additions at the resort
Nuwara Eliya
Nuwara Eliya Golf Club (www.negolf.lk) is also over 100 years of age and this golf course is situated over 2,000 metres above sea level and dominates the holiday town of Nuwara Eliya.
Although this course is a 6100 yard, par 70, the narrow fairways and thick rough in between the sky-scraper trees and prickly gauze bushes, make this a daunting challenge for those who stray from the straight and narrow.
Except during the holiday season around April / May when many of the Colombo golfers get away from the heat and humidity to the crispy cool atmosphere of Nuwara Eliya, visitors can quite often, play with out advance booking.
Look out for the Sri Lankan Airlines Golf Classic – visit www.srilankangolf.com
Land Sports
Other popular sports include – tennis, table tennis, netball, basketball, volleyball, football, rugby football, mountain biking, marathons, athletics and swimming. Sri Lanka also organizes a marathonwww.srilankamarathon.org
Water SportsThe water is being used more and more as Sri Lanka establishes itself in the water sports arena. Swimming is very popular with Olympic entries in recent years, as is board diving. Rivers and the sea are being use more and more for snorkelling, water skiing, jet skiing, banana boat rides. Para sailingand kite surfing are also increasing in popularity.
SurfingSurfing is becoming very popular in Sri Lanka. With two monsoons (South West – May/June, and North East – October/November) there is surfing all year round. The most popular areas are at Hikkaduwa and Arugam Bay. The Annual British Pro Surfing Association organizes an annual competition in June. E-mail info@srilanka : visit : www.srilankan.aero
Diving & SnorkellingThe monsoons also provide Sri Lanka with year round diving. The East coast in particular, off Trincomalee, has many ship wrecks, while the South East (the Great and Little Basses) off the Yala National Park have coral reef and varied marine life. There are also many spots along the South West coast.
Visit : www.divesrilanka.com or www.divingsrilanka.com
Visit : www.divesrilanka.com or www.divingsrilanka.com
Visit www.srilankatourism.org.uk for information on future sporting events – see Events, or e-mailinfo@srilankatourism.org.uk
