National Age Group Swimming C’ships from September 11 to 13

Leslie FernandO

The National Age Group Swimming and Diving Championships, which will serve as a trial to pick swimmers to represent Sri Lanka at the Youth Commonwealth Games, Pune, India in October will be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium swimming pool from September 11 to 13. A record 1507 competitors will compete in the championships conducted by the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU).

The last year’s overall champions Trinity College and Mahamaya College are expected to dominate in the boys and girls section in swimming. Both Trinity and Mahamaya boys and girls have performed the best in this year’s Age Group Relay Championships, Short Course Nationals, Pentathlon Championships and the National School Games showing superior swimming skills. Their current form should see them retain the overall boys and girls titles.

However in the boys St. Joseph’s College, Ananda, S. Thomas’ College, Royal College and Asian International School will offer stiff opposition.

In the girls events Mahamaya are strongly tipped to retain the title and it will be a tussle for minor honours from the swimmers from Hillwood College, Kandy, Ladies College, AIS and Musaeus College.

According to a senior official of SLASU, this meet will serve as a trial to pick swimmers for two proposed international swimming meets to be held in October and November.

The official added that all leading swimmers and divers will vie for honours.

In 2007 Trinity College emerged boys champions while Mahamaya College Kandy, retained the girls overall championships.

Royal College retained the Boy’s Overall Diving title and Bishops College became overall girls diving champions.

The meet will begin at 8.30 a.m. and the afternoon session from 2.30 p.m. each day. The diving championships will take place on the same days as swimming but the events will start from 11.00 a.m. each day.

The age group champions will be selected among the boys and girls and challenge trophies will be presented by SLASU.