Three Sri Lankan swimmers clinch Bronze medals
Leslie Fernando reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan
SWIMMING: Three women competitors from Sri Lanka, Gihara
Sachini Amerasinghe, Methma Jayawardena and Madhavee Weerathunga won
bronze medals on the opening day (morning session) of the 1st South Asia
Swimming and Waterpolo Championships conducted by the Pakistan Swimming
Federation and held at the Pakistan Sports Board swimming pool here.
Gihara won the first bronze for her country swimming in the 50 metres
back stroke (age group) with a time of 34.72 secs.
The second bronze went to Methma Jayawardena swimming in lane 3 in
the 50 metres free style open clocking’ 10.16.46’ secs while Madhavee
accounted for the third medal in the 100 metres free style (Age Group)
returning a time of 1.08.44 secs.
Lankan women swimmers also bagged five diplomas in their respective
events. In the 100 metres free style open women Hansani Weerathunga was
placed fifth 1.07.75 sec and Udari Mendis in sixth position - 1.07.85
secs.
Sunethra Wijeratne came in fourth in the 50 metres back stroke (Age
group under-14) 36.43 secs, Hasani Weerathunga in the 800 metres free
style women open fifth 11.21.92 secs and Sunethra Wijeratne in the 100
metres free style (Age Group) in fifth position 1.10.74 secs.
Indian women swimmers as usual dominated in all four events worked
off in the morning session. Their swimmers won four gold medals and four
silver medals. Pakistan had to be satisfied with one bronze medal in the
100 metres free style women open.
Altogether 50 events, 19 for men and women open and 12 for junior
boys and girls will be held during the six day meet. In addition three
countries will compete in the waterpolo tournament - Sri Lanka, India
and Pakistan on a league basis. Pakistan played India, on September 3,
Sri Lanka and India on September 4 and Sri Lanka and Pakistan on
September 5. The teams with more wins will be the champions. The first
three days swimming events will be for women and from September 6 to 8
for men will be worked off.
Messrs H.C. Chulasiri, Sunil Rathnayake, Padmasiri Punchihewa, P.S.A.
Silva (swimming) and Farid Noor Ameen (Waterpolo) has been selected by
the organisers to officiate at the meet.
Bangladesh have pulled out of the meet at the eleventh hour after
failing to get required permission from their government according to
Major Majeed Wasem, the Secretary, Pakistan Swimming Federation.
ISLAMABAD, Monday |
