National pentathlon swimming starts tomorrow

by Leslie Fernando

All leading swimmers will participate at the three-day National Pentathlon Swimming Championships conducted by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) to be held from May 12 to 14 at the Sugathadasa Stadium swimming pool.

At the 2004 meet, Royal and Mahamaya emerged boys' and girls' champions respectively.

At this year's championships Kandy schools, Trinity and Mahamaya College will go out firm favourites. Trinity and Mahamaya swimmers have performed creditably well at the last two meets conducted by the SLASU. These two schools also fared prominently at the Kandy District swimming championships recently to emerge champions in the boys and girls sections respectively.

The champions at 2005 Age Group Relay Championships, Ananda College (runners-up Trinity) third placed St. Joseph's College and Asian International School are bound to offer stiff opposition to Trinity swimmers in the boys events.

In the girls events the holders Mahamaya College are fancied to retain the title on their swimmers' current form. Ladies College, Musaeus College, St. Bridget's Convent, Bishop's College swimmers together with AIS will battle it out for honours.

The best in both boys and girls in the under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16 and under-19 as well as open will be selected and they will be awarded special trophies.

SLASU events

The SLASU have decided to hold the synchronised swimming levels competition on May 28 at the Ladies College swimming pool. The Clive Pearcy League Novices Waterpolo Tournament for boys and girls will take place on June 5 at the Police swimming pool, Narahenpita. The Short Course National Swimming Championships will be staged at the Mahamaya College, Kandy swimming pool on June 10 and 11.