'Sports Blitz' now a reality
 

BY RICHARD Dwight

THE Answer to the long felt need of a quality sports magazine in the English langauge - many perhaps be the bi-monthly 'Sports Blitz', which holds much promise to champion and espouse the cause of sports here, at the local, as well as at the international level.

Tangible expression, of the coming to be of 'Sports Blitz' was made at its launch held on Monday evening at the Kollupitiya Colombo Swimming Club, when the Managing Editor of the Magazine, Trevor Chesterfield, presented the first copy to the former Sri Lanka cricket captain, Sanath Jayasuriya. Present on the occasion were former Sri Lankan opening batsman, Sidath Wettimuny, professional golfer Anura Rohana and yet other sportsmen, along with media personnel, well-wishers and friends.

'Sports Blitz' is the brainchild of Ana Punchihewa, which has come about through his innovative enterprising outlook. Punchchihewa needs little or no introduction, yet it must be said that having had his early education in England (the home of cricket) he has cultivated friendships with cricketer David Graveney, the nephew of Tom Garveney and yet other sportsmen and officials not only in England, but in other countries, through his being widely travelled.

It's against this background and his administrative and organising ability that Ana has galvanised the support of a team to spearhead 'sports Blitz' - a magazine which will focus on all sports, striving for its promotion and development with a wider perspective and broader vision.

'Sports Blitz' has elegance with much finesse to appear attractive with colourful photographs and a glossy front and back cover and the in between pages too being of high quality paper. Reasonably priced at Rs. 150 it's easy to handle and, with its bold print is easy on the eyes to enjoy a wide readership.

'It was gathered from the Managing Editor 'Sports Blitz' Trevor Chesterfield that for some years now there hasn't been a genuine English sports magazine and this is a step in that direction in filling this gap.

The aim of the magazine is to give highly readable stories and commentary of sporting events and background material, that while largely Sri Lankan orientated, includes as well a specialist international flavour.

The team apart from the managing editor will have production editors, lay out designer, art director, photographers, marketing and advertising section, division to handle subscriptions and circulation and of course the varied writers, from here and abroad.

Speaking to the media Chesterfield had this to say - "whilst it may appear, from cover to cover to be a cricket magazine, a dip inside will, we hope take you on a voyage of discovery into other areas of note such as coverage of athletics, rugby, football, golf, boxing and even water sports as part of a growing 'Sports Blitz' realm.

We will also bring you sports personalities, local and international, often in a question and format as well as something about the personality",