Champions emerge at inter-Bank Sports Festival

INTER-BANK SPORTS: Bankers are often to be found dealing with profits, numbers, deposits, savings, etc. But at the Inter-Bank Sports Festival, all they had in their hands were rackets, tennis balls and other sporting gear. In fact the Inter-Bank Sports Festival, organised by the People's Bank Sports Club began on a ceremonious note recently at the S. Thomas' College indoor Stadium, Mount Lavinia with the participation of a number of leading banks in the industry vying for champion positions in different sports.

The event was declared open by Dr. P. A. Kiriwandeniya, Chairman, People's Bank, who was also the Chief Guest at the event. Dr. P. A. Kiriwandeniya spoke about the importance of sports in maintaining the right balance between a healthy mind and a healthy body. The Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony was Mr. Asoka de Silva, CEO/General Manager, People's Bank, who welcomed the representatives of all banks present at the occasion. Addressing the gathering, he reiterated the value of such a sports festival in building a sense of fellowship among bankers from different financial institutions, who are usually to be found handling monetary matters.

The opening ceremony was followed by Table Tennis and Badminton matches where the winners are as follows:

Table Tennis

Men's Open: Champion - Seylan Bank, runners-up - National Savings Bank, Women's Open: Champion - Seylan Bank, runners-up - Hatton National Bank, Men's Over 35: Champion - National Savings Bank, runners-up - People's Bank, Women's Over 35: Champion - People's Bank, runners-up - Bank of Ceylon.

Badminton

Men's Open: Champion - Seylan Bank, runners-up - Hatton National Bank, Women's Open: champion - Hatton National Bank, runners-up - Seylan Bank, Men's Over 35: champion - Commercial Bank, runners-up - Seylan Bank, Women's Over 35: Champion - Commercial Bank, runners-up - Bank of Ceylon.

Carrom

The carrom tournament was played on February 10 and 11, 2007 at the People's Bank Sports Club Centre, Maradana. The winners are:

Men's Open: Champion - Bank of Ceylon, runners-up - National Saving Bank, Women's Open: Champion - People's Bank, runners-up - Central Bank, Men's Over 35: Champion - Bank of Ceylon, runners-up - National Saving Bank, Women's Over 35: Champion - People's Bank, runners-up - Bank of Ceylon.

The six-a-side cricket tournament, ended yesterday at BRC Grounds, Havelock Park. Seven-a-side Netball, Volleyball and Football matches happening are on today at Shalika Grounds, Narahenpita.