Short Course national Swim C'ships from June 10

by Leslie Fernando

The Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) have decided to hold the Short Course National Swimming Championships, one of the trials to pick swimmers for the South Asian Games Pool in Kandy at Mahamaya College Swimming Pool on June 10 and 11 commencing from 9.00 a.m. on each day.

According to a SLASU official a record number of 242 swimmers both men and women will swim in the usual events. The overall champions will be selected in both sections - men and women and SLASU Challenge Trophies will be presented. Trinity and Mahamaya College swimmers who emerged champions in the boys and girls overall at the Pentathlon Championships concluded on May 14 at the Sugathadasa Stadium swimming pool are expected to give a repeat performance and win again.

Both Trinity and Mahamaya are enjoying their best years in swimming. Their swimmers have performed exceptionally well in the past three meets this year. The swimmers from both schools also have established several new meet records.

Last year, Sri Lanka Navy and Mahamaya College, Kandy excelled winning the men's and girls' overall championships titles.

The sailors came in first in the men's overall with 59 points followed by St. Joseph's College second with 31 points and Asian International School third with 21 points. Mahamaya College collected 46 points to come first, Musaeus College took the second position with 44 points and Ladies College finished third with 27 points.

The 2004 Short Course National Swimming Championships was held at the newly opened Panadura Aquatic Club Pool.