Stage set for Schools Swimming Championships

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The stage is set for the Annual Sri Lanka Schools All Island Age Group Swimming Championships 2013 which will be held on June 18 to 21 at the Sugathadasa Sports Complex swimming pool. The event held for the 40th consecutive year, is sponsored by Milo. There will be 164 events including 140 individual and 24 relay events.

This was revealed at a press briefing held at CR and FC auditorium with the participation of Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Sports Association (SLSASA) officials and the representatives from the sponsors. Speaking on the occasion SLSASA president Y A N D Yapa thanked Nestle for their continuous support for the annual event.

He also said that the event is getting more participation where more opportunities open for swimmers from rural school. There are five schools from Eastern Province and and one from Northern which is notable, he added.

The opening ceremony will be held at 8am on June 18 while the closing ceremony takes place at 4pm on June 21 under the patronage of Minister of Education Bandula Gunawardena as the chief guest. Last year St Joseph's College, Maradana won the boys championship while Mahamaya Girls School Kandy won the girls'.

This year 180 schools are participating including 80 boys' schools, 54 girls' and 46 mixed schools. The number of competitors tolls to 2590 including 1612 males and 978 female swimmers. Events for both boys and girls will be worked off in the age categories of under 9 , 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19.

The organizers said that certificates will be awarded for those who reach qualified time for below 13 age group competitions and for the first to eighth places for the age group above 13 while medal will be awarded to first , second and third places. For under 15, 17 and 19 in both boys and girls categories trophies will be awarded for the individual and the best school. They include junior champions , senior champions and overall champions in the tournament.

Western Province (68 schools) has the most number of swimmers participating this year too. There are 28 schools each from Southern Province and Central Province. In addition there are 16 schools from Sabaragamuwa and 12 from Wayamba province.

Speaking on popularizing the sport in rural schools SLSASA president Yapa said that most of the outstation schools do not posses a swimming pool and coaches which has cause them to be away from the sport. He also said that SLSASA held a swimming camp in Ambepussa with the a lot of schools participating and plans are there to have another one in Ampara this year.