SLTA’s 93rd Colombo tennis c’ships from July 14

Richard DWIGHT

The 93rd Colombo Tennis Championship which takes place from the 14th of July to the 3rd of August at the SLTA courts - has virtually grown along with the SLTA, which had its origin in 1915. Through the years, it has become large enough to be the most important tennis tournament conducted by the affiliated clubs of SLTA.

It is an ‘A’ grade tournament and, there is the likelihood of most of the national players and yet other reputed Sri Lankans from here and abroad taking part in order to gain their rankings.

The principal sponsor for the event will be ABC Insurance Ltd, who are doing so for the fifth consecutive year, whilst the co-sponsor is Colonial Hardware Stores with assistance coming from EPSI computers, vision care, and wilson balls by United Sports.

The tournament chairman is, Pavan Nadarajah the Secretary of SLTA playing section and the tournament referee is Isara Seneviratne, the expectations are that there will be over 500 entries and close on 9 July at 3.30 p.m., the qualifying and main draw will be held on July 11 and 13 respectively. The qualifying matches starts on the 12th of July and the main draw matches commence on the 14th of July.

The following events would be worked out

Juniors
Boys Under 10 singles

Senior Events
Girls under 10 singles

Men’s singles
Boys under 12 singles

Men’s doubles
Girls under 12 singles

Women’s singles
Boys under 14 singles

Women’s doubles
Boys under 14 doubles

Mixed doubles
Girls under 14 singles
Seniors over 35 singles
Girls under 14 doubles
Seniors over 35 doubles
Boys under 16 singles
Seniors over 45 singles
Girls under 16 singles
Seniors over 45 doubles
Boys under 18 singles
Seniors over 55 singles
Boys under 18 doubles
Seniors over 55 doubles
Girls under 18 singles
Seniors over 65 singles
Girls under 18 doubles
Seniors over 65 doubles

These details of the Colombo Tennis championship were made known to the members of the media at a briefing held at the SLTA last Saturday by Pavan Nadarajah and the President of the Tennis playing section of the SLTA Lalith Withana.

Withana went on further to thank, Shiran Dissanayake, the Chairman of ABC group of companies for sponsoring the event for the fifth successive year not forgetting as well to thank SLTA’s stalwart, Nadarajah, the MD of Colonial Hardware Stores the co-sponsors and yet other.

He said that apart from the prize monies that would be awarded to the winners of the senior category, there would also be trophies and certificates for all winners and runner-ups.

The funds generated from this event, he concluded, would be made use of for infrastructure development of SLTA.

The others who spoke were MD - ABC Insurance, Vini Gunaratne, Executive Director - ABC, Senaka Abeygunasekera and Gen. C.J. Ranaweera, delivering the vote of thanks.