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by Bernard Perera

The Mercantile Athletic Championship for the year 2003 conducted by the Mercantile Athletic Federation will be held today and tomorrow at Sugathadasa Stadium. The first day's events commence at 2.00 p.m. and on Sunday the meet commences at 8.30 a.m., said Ashley de Abrew, President of the Mercantile Athletic Federation.

Giving further details on the meet he said already over 500 entries have been received, 250 men and 250 women. Out of these 275 athletes are billed to compete in the novices events.

He said this year championships are to be awarded separately for championship, novices and veterans. Earlier the practice was to add all points and the championship was decided but we had to do away with this practice as we thought it was not fitting for the present day.

Veterans' events are to competed by athletes men and women from age group 45-50. Last year the veterans championships was won by SriLankan Airlines and the novices and the championships was awarded to Tri Star Apparels.

Last year a total of 23 records were lowered, he said. This year too the organisers expect many records to tumble with the cream of athletes competing here for honours. Susanthika Jayasinghe, Lanka Cement, Damayanthi Dharsha, Pan Asia Bank and Sriyani Kulawansa, HNB appearing this year could see them in battle in short distance events. The spectators are assured of great races on the stadium track on these two days.

Last years best women athlete Dharsha will go all out to maintain her supremacy this year too, while Tharanga who was adjudged the men's best performer too will be seen in action. De Abrew noted that Ceylon Biscuits Ltd. Manufacturers of Munchee have come forward to sponsor the event though they have not entered a single athlete. This he said was a good sign to show the confidence placed on the Mercantile Athletic Federation.

De Abrew said that the Mercantile Athletic Federation has taken steps to hold the athletic quadrangular on November 19. The last of this was held way back in 1968 with Mercantile AF, state services, defence services and the rest team in competition with MAF in a stable financial footing wants to revive this meet, he said.

Nanda Wickramage, Director, Sales and Marketing, Ceylon Biscuits speaking on the occasion said it is a pleasure to be associated with a federation which is a recognised one. Earlier it was only schools that we touched, now the time is prime for us to get involved in big time events, he said. Though we are not going to have any athlete representing us.

this year it is not a hindrance to come forward to sponsor an event of this nature where all fame athletes are in action. We hope to field a athletic team next year and also assure future assistance for this event, he said. He thanked the MAF for giving the opportunity to join hands with them.

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