Strong Lankan contingent for Asian Masters C'ships

Sampath Bandara

A 126 strong Sri Lankan contingent will take part in the 15th Asian Masters Athletic Championship which will be held from January 13 to 17th in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Sri Lanka Masters Athletic team will leave for Thailand on January 9 (Friday).

Sri Lanka won 156 medals including 58 Golds, 55 Silver and 43 Bronze medals at the 15th Asian Masters Athletic Championship held in Bangalore, India last year. Sri Lanka were runners up pushing down Japan to 3rd place.

This time the home team Thailand with the largest contingent of athletes. China and Japan will be expected to win the highest number of medals. 15th Asian Masters Athletic Championship scheduled to be held in November, 2008 was postponed due to the unrest at the Bangkok Airport.

Top Athletes who are in the Sri Lankan contingent are Mallika Satchithananda (70 age group), H. H. Thambaralatha (F 35), T. I. E. Karunarathne (F 60), G. S. C. Dahanayake (M 50), N. Wickramarachchi (M 55), K. A. P. Ariyaratne (M 55), Gamini Weerasinghe (M 50), R. M. Mangalika (F 40). The Sri Lanka squad will be led by P. H. D. Waidyatilaka as Chef de Mission. Waidyatilaka who is also the Chairman of the Asian Masters Athletics. T. J. Chandradasa is the Team Manager with K. Satchithanada as Co-Manager, M. A. W. Malikarachchi is the Women's Manager. K. M. Karunaratne, Senani Bogahawatte and Sriyani Weerasinghe are the Asst. Managers. Captain of the team is M. M. G. Bandara.