Tennis Nationals begin today

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

All set for the most significant annual event of the Sri Lankan tennis calendar, the 96th National Tennis Championships which will be held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) hard courts from August 20 to 26.

The nationals is the biggest contest which attracts all the elite players in the country and around 100 entries have been received for this year’s competition. It has been a good experience for senior and

junior players over the years and helped to enhance enthusiasm among spectators and media.

There will be singles and doubles for men and women along with the mix doubles event in the main draw while the veterans’ event for over 35 years will work out separately in singles and doubles categories. Already there are 45 applicants for the veterans’ event. The organizers have also included Wheel Chair Tennis singles and doubles for this year’s championship.

The SLTA Champion and Davis Cup player Harshana Godamanne, Dineshkanthan Thangarajah along with top ranking women players Amritha, Kemali and Nilushi will be competing in this year’s championship.

The tournament will be conducted in accordance with International Tennis Federation (ITF) rules and code of conduct. The SLTA President Maxwell de Silva thanked the main sponsor Elephant House for their re-joining to support the game after lapses of few years. “Tennis will be popularized in outstations according to a comprehensive project in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee and the Sports Ministry where a tennis school will be established in every province,” Maxwell revealed.

Neil Samarasinghe, The Vice President of John Keells Holdings and Head of Elephant House Frozen Confectionery said that tennis is yet to be taken to outstations and their highly popular Elephant House brand will greatly support to spread the game throughout the country. “Sport is one way to promote a country internationally and Elephant House has decided to be a part of this by supporting Sri Lanka tennis,” he disclosed.