Over 2,000 athletes for Sir John Tarbet Junior C'ship

YASARATNE GAMAGE

Over 2,000 athletes from 226 schools will take part in the Sir John Tarbet Junior Athletic Championship - 2011 which will be held at Sugathadasa Stadium from May 14 to 16.

The athletic championship held for the 81st time is organized by Sri Lanka Athletic Association in collaboration with the Education Ministry. Milo which has powered the tournament for more than 15 years will continue to sponsor it this year too.

1,320 boys and 1110 girls from 226 schools will take part in the under 16, under 18, and under 20 age groups.

The Ministry of Education will provide accommodation for the girls at Central College , Kotahena while the boys will be put up at St Benedict's College, Kotahena.

The Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Athletic Association Anil Weerasinghe said that this is a golden opportunity for athletes from rural schools to show their prowess and gain selection for the Commonwealth Youth Games in September and under 18 World Junior Athletic Championship. A half marathon will be held on the second day with the winners receiving Rs 5,000 while the second place and third placed will receive Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 respectively.

Last year Walala Ratnayake MMV, Menikhinna emerged champions and carried away the Sir John Tarbet Cup.

The award ceremony will be held on May 16 under the patronage of Deputy Minister of Education Vijith Wijayamuni Zoysa and Mohommod Hamza, Senior Vice President of Nestle Lanka Limited.