First Handball C'ship today

Bernard PERERA

The first ever Handball tournament organized by Sri Lanka Air Force as part of their sixtieth anniversary celebrations will commence today at the Rifle Green (Air Force ground) commencing 8.00 am.

Group Captain Janaka Nanayakkara said that the tournament has attracted six teams two from Army, Navy, Prison Department Ampara District team and the host Air Force. They are grouped 'A' and 'B' and will play each other and the two top teams will qualify for the semi finals which are scheduled for Friday.

The tournament will be a day\night affair with two games to be played in the morning and one under lights. He also added that Brandix have confirmed their participation as sponsors for the entire tournament. The winner and runner up will be awarded with trophies and cash awards. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday evening said the Group Captain Nanayakkara.

National Olympic Committee President and President Handball Federation Hemasiri Fernando said that this is the first time a tournament of this nature is taking place due to keenness of Sri Lanka Air Force Handball committee headed by Group Captain Janaka Nanayakkkara. He thanked the The Chief of Staff and Commander of the SLAF Roshan Goonetillke for his support extended for the event.

Fernando further said that Handball was introduce to Sri Lanka few years back and the enthusiasm shown by the three forces is highly commendable. It proved beyond doubt that it was the Forces that can take the lead in promoting sports in this country. They have all the resources and the man power for this purpose. So this being a new sport in our country the forces can take the leadership in developing the game here.

In this regard Sri Lanka Air Force has taken a great pains in organizing this event. In addition the the other two forces Sri Lanka Army and Navy too have joined the tournament to support the cause of the game. As President of SLHF I am thankful to all of them for the great support extended for the event.

Fernando said that it is very difficult to introduce a new sport to the younger generation. We have to have lot of finances to uplift this sport. At present the federation does not get any assistance from from the world governing body and the Asian body though we are affiliated to them. We have to work hard to for at least two to three years to gain the recognition and to receive their assistance. As we have registered ourselves we are hopeful that during the course of next year to receive all assistance from them.

He also said that the Next Asian Games to be held in Korea is to include this sport as a new discipline for Games. Korean National Olympic Committee in a bid to extend their support to Sri Lanka has consented to send a highly qualified instructor to train our local coaches and referees involved in this sport. They also have consented bear all expenses of the instructor during his ten month stay in Sri Lanka.

He further added that the Federation took steps to promote the support in various parts of the country for which a good response was seen. Now it has become important for the Federation to tap the young blood for the sport and it has decided to introduce the game in to schools as this is not an expensive sport.