Bentota readies for Jet Ski Grand Prix 2015
Powerboating will be the next big thing to happen in Sri Lanka with Bentota selected as a certified venue for the Grand Prix in Jet Ski, a boat racing competition, scheduled to be held in October/ November this year with the participation of 19 countries.
Since the exhibition race on the Beira Lake about an year back, Sri Lanka is currently set to take on a world championship event for the 65 acquabike drivers that would participate at the 4day event, Lanka Powerboat Association President Prassane Ranawera said in an interview with the Business Times on the sidelines of the Sancharaka Udawa trade fair exhibition held last week where these vessels were on show. The event is expected to generate international coverage from key sports channels as there is a following for powerboat racing globally.
The Union Internationale Motonautique ( UIM), the international governing body for powerboat racing, had verified the Club Bentota beach as a venue for a powerboating event. At this location, Mr. Ranaweera said they are able to launch from either a pier or from the sand. In addition, the necessary staff are available; the water sports centre present; boats and knowledge of the subject by professionals as well that allowed for this place to gain approval.
Powerboating is a fast, furious and glamorous international sport. The UIM ensures that powerboat racing meet international standards in terms of safety and protocol.
It is recognised as such by the international Olympic Committee, and is also a member of the General Association of International Sports Federations, and the Association of the IOC Recognised international Sports Federations.
UIM is represented in Sri Lanka by the National Authority LPA based at Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel, Colombo 2.
LPA has trained persons who are UIM registered qualified instructors and officials able to provide train- ing to run national and international races.
Mr. Ranaweera who runs the excess baggage company, Advance Baggage, is based in the UK and helps people carry any excess baggage including these speed boats and other similar vessels to their destination following which he believed Sri Lanka could make value out of it. As a result in 2012 he started out by bringing down the UIM and Formula One officials to look into the possibilities available here.
The world championship would create a boost to the tourism industry as participants would ideally be in the country with family and friends in addition to international spectators, Mr. Ranaweera said.