Over 2,000 competitors for Sir John Tarbat Athletic meet

Sanjaya ARIYARATNE

Over two thousand athletes will be taking part in the Sir John Tarbat All Island Schools Senior Athletic Meet-2008 one of the most anticipated events in the Sri Lanka Schools athletic calendar organized by the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association (SLSAA) with the patronage of the Ministry of Education which will take place from September 3 to 5 at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Milo (Nestle Lanka PLC) has come forward to sponsor this three day competition and this is the 15th time Milo extended their sponsorship.

This tournament is conducted in memory of late Sir John Tarbat who rendered a great service for the upliftment of the game and this is the 74th time Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association is organizing this prestigious event since its inception in 1930.

According to SLSAA officials this competition will serve as a selection trial to pick players for the forthcoming South Asian Youth and Senior Athletic Championships which is to be staged in India in the latter part of September and Commonwealth Youth Festival in October in India.

The South Asian Youth and Senior Championships will be worked in two age categories under 18 and under 20 girls and boys. Those who are less than 18 years on December 31st, 2008 will be eligible for the under-18 events while for under 20 events also will be the same criteria. Some of the top junior athletes like Sehan Abeypitiya (Gateway College) have emerged through this meet in the past few years.

Altogether 2,475 athletes from 212 schools in the island have confirmed their participation to take part in this event. The tally includes 1,425 boys athletes and 1,050 girls athletes.

This year meet features three events namely under 16, under 18 and under 20 for both boys and girls. In conjunction to the athletic meet, an under 20 Race Walking Event will be worked off for boys and girls. SLSAA officials request participants to call over with the following documents. National Identity Card, Copy of the Birth Certificate and Certified photograph by the respective school principal.

Accommodation for boys will be provided at St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena while girls will be put up at Good Shepherd Convent, Kotahena.