Mercantile Swimming Meet on October 12

By Jatila KARAWITA

SWIMMING: The second annual Mercantile Swimming Championships for the President's Trophy organised by the Thurstan College Aquatic Club in association with the Sri Lanka Amateur Aquatic Sports Union (SLAASU) will be held on October 12 at the Thurstan College Swimming Pool at Thurstan Road.

Bhathiya Seebert, Chariman, Organising Committee, at a press conference at Galle Face Hotel last Tuesday, said that the success of any sporting event would hinge on the participation and he hoped that there would be many swimmers in the fray.

Seebert said that the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has taken a keen interest and the trophy that the President had donated for the meet has added a lot of interest to the event.

Last year was the inaugural meet which turned out to be a tremendous success. So, with the success gained from the inaugural meet this year's meet holds out the promise of better things this year.

Last year John Keells Holdings came on top while SriLankan Airlines were the runners-up.

Thurstan College came into the swimming scene in the year 2000 when they were gifted a six-lane swimming pool with all necessary facilities by a distinguished old boy of Thurstan - Lion Gratiaen Gunawardene, who was a fine ruggerite too during his time.

The upcoming swimming meet will give many opportunities for the swimmers in the Mercantile sector to show their skills. Gunawardene said that besides the Mercantile sector, his wish is that schools like Turstan and others will provide top class swimmers who will be able to get close to the performance of US swimmer Michael Phelps who did wonders for the United States at the recent Olympic Games.

Thurstan College Principal Wimal Guneratne said that soon after he assumed duties at Thurstan College, he made swimming compulsory for all students.

He said that the Mercantile Swimming Meet is quite a important meet and all participants should take the meet with all seriousness.