Aqua Vida, an initiative of Clear Mark
View(s):The successful Aqua Vida, a initiative of Clear Mark, making it the biggest beach sports festival to be held in the South Asian region, was held at the Jetwing Blue Hotel premises in Negombo with, three-time Olympic champion in Water Polo, Gergely Kiss, attending the event as the brand ambassador.
Kiss with the winners
Aqua Vida catered to around 680 athletes and over 75 teams in the six disciplines of Beach Rugby; Beach Football, Beach Water Polo, Beach Handball, Beach Volley Ball and a Sea Swim, fulfilling its goal of introducing a varied range of water sports to our nation.
The beach festival started off with the 1kilometre Sea Swim, where Shemalka Nishen of Swim Tech Swimming Club won in the Men’s segment while K.K. Dassanayke of the Air Force won the Women’s segment.
This was followed by Beach Football, Beach Handball and Beach Rugby events which were held simultaneously in their respective pitches, cheered by enthusiastic sports fanatics.
The Beach Football champions were the Team 15 while Kalutara SC was placed second. The Beach Handball championship was shared by Army SC and Air Force SC in the Men’s segment.
In the, the Women’s segment Air Force beat Army to win the Handball title. The Beach Rugby championship was won by the Wele Sudas, who beat Mt. Panthers.
Gergely Kiss being presented with a memento
While Army SC came in at second place in Beach Volleyball, the title went to the Air Force SC in the Men’s segment. In the Women’s league, the Navy emerged victorious, followed by Dharmapala College Eheliyagoda.
The Beach Water Polo championship was won by Old Thomians SC, who beat Navy B in the final. The Women’s segment was won by Air Force SC who performed better than Navy SC in the final.
In the Beach Water Polo event, held for the first time in South Asia, the Old Thomians SC won followed beating Navy B while the Women’s category was won by Air Force SC, who beat Navy SC in the final.
Gergely Kiss, a legendary water polo player from Hungary, who has previously trained the Sri Lanka Water Polo team, expressed his views in support of the event: “I’m proud and happy to work with Awnee Razack and his team on this initiation.
Kiss 7s is the Beach Water Polo competition, held after my name was wonderful, and I look forward to this event going on to an international level some day. My family has been very encouraging as well.”
Action at the Aqua Vida beach sports festival
“Sri Lankans love sports, I can see. The beautiful climate is convenient, with it being an island, surrounded by the sea.
An event like this is a great concept, even for us in Europe, as we aren’t privileged with the location that Sri Lanka has to offer. There is a lot to learn from the hospitality of Sri Lankan people.” he added.