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| Sunday, 19 October 2003 |
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Sri Lanka swimming to go professional on Nov. 3 ? by LESLIE FERNANDO A total of 245 competitors (136 men) and (109 women) from 31 schools and 10 clubs will be seen in action at the three-day National Swimming and Diving Championships, National Synchronized Swimming, National Waterpolo Knock-Out Tournament conducted by the National Amateur Aquatic Sports Union of Sri Lanka (NAASU) to be held from October 30 to November 1 at the Sugathadasa Stadium Swimming pool. Rifdy Fahmy, Secretary NAASU at a press conference held at the 80 club on Thursday night said that the nationals will serve as a trial to pick swimmers for the SAF Games to be held in Pakistan in February 2004. "We will pick the top 20 (men and women) and they will form a special pool", Rifdy Fahmy said. He added that tremendous progress has been made to hold the nationals on a grand scale. Rifdy said that NAASU will call for a special general meeting on November 3 in view of changing the name of NAASU to Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union. "We are following the FINA way - it means financial gains could be gained by competitors in the future". Wyville Scharenguivel, the Chairman Organising Committee of the Nationals said "that the nationals will be conducted with a bit of glamour". We are indeed grateful to National Lotteries Board for their contribution as a sponsor but the finances are not adequate to run the affairs of NAASU. Without funds no sport could survive and we hope to establish a system of fund raising soon. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has indicated that NAASU will receive funds from year 2004 for the development of aquatic sports. All leading swimmers and divers have entered for the nationals and keen competition should prevail. Seven men's teams - Sri Lanka Air Force, Royal, Old Thomian Swimming Club, Sri Lanka Navy, Otter AC and Police SC will play in the men's knockout waterpolo tournament while five women's teams Ladies College, Vishaka Vidyalaya, Sri Lanka Air Force, St. Bridget's Convent and Bishop's College will battle-it-out. This year more entries have come in for synchronized swimming. It is encouraging to note this branch is gaining popularity. St. Bridget's Convent and Visakha Vidyalaya will field over 20 girls each for four events solo, duets, teams and free routine combination. Johnston Fernando, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports will be the chief guest on the final day November 1. Other who were associated at press briefing. SSP Kithsiri Dayananda, (Vice President), Vijitha Fernando (Media Spokesman), J. A. S. Somachandra (Meet Director), Nethru Nanayakkara (Assistant Secretary), Rajeev Senanayake (Vice-President). |
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