Nalanda to popularise squash among schools
by Ranjan ANANDAPPA
SQUASH: In a bid to popularise squash among the schools, Nalanda
College has taken a bold step in inaugurating an invitation squash
tournament scheduled to be played between 3rd and 8th December at their
newly constructed squash courts, at Campbell Place.
The tournament is sponsored by Stafford Motors, Hero Honda.
The squash court was built at the cost of seven million rupees and
donated by Kassapa Mahendra de Silva - a distinguished old boy of
Nalanda .
Six schools in six age groups, namely under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19
will participate. The schools include host Nalanda, S. Thomas', St.
Sylvester's Kandy, St. Peter's, D. S. Senanayake, St. Joseph's.
Chairing a media briefing in connection with the tournament, the
principal of Nalanda College Ranjith Jayasundara said that the main
concept of conducting a tournament of this nature is to promote the game
in the Colombo District and uplift the standard of the game. "Nalanda
began to play squash a year ago and since the game has gathered
momentum, Nalanda emerged runner-up at the Under 17 Age Group
tournament," he said.
The tournament will be conducted with the consent of the Sri Lanka
Squash Federation and Oliver Guruge who is the President of SLSF, also
spoke at the occasion. He said that it was a commendable effort by
Kassapa de Silva to construct the squash courts at his personnal expense
which is a great step taken forward towards the development of the
sport.
Guruge further stated that sports and studies should go hand in hand
and it will also keep one away from the doctor and will bring
opportunities for the players to win scholarships to play squash abroad.
On behalf of the SLSF, Guruge presented two dozens of squash balls to
conduct the tournament.
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