Kolonnawa win Doubles Event

SEPAKTAKRAW: Kolonnawa emerged champions in the Doubles Event with Nugegoda SC as the runners-up and Old Wesleyites in third place at the Invitational Sepaktkraw Championships of the Sri Lanka Amateur Sepaktakraw Association (SLASTA) at the Indoor Stadium of the University of Colombo recently.

Seven teams took part in both the Doubles and Regu events. They were Garudas, Old Wesleyites, Mabola, Kolonnawa, Wattala, Army and Nugegoda SC. All matches were keenly contested and the numerous spectators were treated to some astonishing acrobatic spiking with the foot, scissor kicks and some fine ball control with the foot in this dynamic game of Sepaktakraw.

The umpires and line officials were all women and they handled the games in an efficient manner. The umpires were Miss Follcia Fernando and Miss M. Sudarshani with Naushad Sedar as the overall official referee.

The oriental dance troup of the Sri Lanka Reserve Police gave a recital before the finals, with the Regu event being won by Kolonnawa with Army as runners-up and Old Wesleyites in third place.

Former DIG T. Wanigaratne was the chief guest who spoke highly of the President of the SLASTA, Nizam Hajireen and his organising committee comprising M. F. Thaliph (Vice-President), M. Usman, Bobsy Sedar, Lashan Sally and A. Wickremaratne.

The ARASTA are also preparing to send a men's and women's sides for the Beach Sepaktakraw Championships to be staged in the Philippines in July, followed by the King's Cup World Sepaktakraw Championships in Thailand in October. Pool practices started yesterday (Saturday) at the CR & FC courts which will be continued today (Sunday) from 7 a.m. (L.G.)