Swimming Nationals from Nov. 13 to 15

Leslie Fernando

The much awaited National Swimming and Diving Championships conducted by the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) will-be held from November 13, 14, 15 at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming Pool. SLASU will also conduct the Championships at Junior level as well in both aquatic events on the same dates.

Nethru Nanayakkara, Chairman Organising Committee said that the nationals were postponed twice due to various problems (mainly due to bad weather) but everything has been settled.

Good Performances are expected as all leading swimmers. Heshzu Unamboowe of Trinity College, Mineka Karunaratne of Asian International School who swam at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India along with experienced swimmer Chanaka Malimbada, Dilan Dissanayake, Issac Prins, Dasun Perera, T.N. Dole, Punhasha Senanayake, Pathum Edirisinghe, Shakith Wickremaratne, Praneeth Udumalgala, Yahan Samarajeewa, Samantha Priyadarshana, Gayan Samarakoon, Shasika Perera are participating in the open men and boy's events. The women and girls in the swim are: Miniruwani Samarakoon, Nethma Jayawardena, Chamari Kudabalage, Gihara Amerasinghe, Hansanee Weerathunga, Madhawee Weerathunga, Udara Mendis, Dehara Katipearachchi, Sunethra Wijeratne, Charuni Perera and Mihiri Kandanarachchi.

Thirty eight events including six relays will be worked off for men and women in the swimming championships.

All heats and preliminaries will be held during the morning sessions commencing at 8.30 a.m. All finals will be held in the afternoon session starting at 2.30 p.m.

There will be one metre, three metre diving (spring board) and platform diving 5 1/2, 7 1/2 and 10 metres. All diving events commence at 11 a.m. each day.

At the 2007 Nationals, Trinity College and Mahamaya College, Kandy emerged men's and women's overall champions in swimming. Royal College Union Aquatic Club and Vishaka Vidyalaya won the men's and women's overall diving championships: Royal won the Junior boy's diving title while RCWAC became junior girls diving champions.

Heshan Unamboowe of Trinity college and Miniruwani Samarakoon of Gateway International school Kandy were selected the best men and women's swimmers respectively at the 2007 nationals.