1,160 swimmers at Ananda Top Ten meet

By Leslie FERNANDO

SWIMMING: A record number of 1,160 swimmers - 800 boys and 360 girls from 115 schools and clubs will swim at the Ananda-Age Group Swimming Top Ten Championship 2008 to be held on November 7, 8 and 9 at the Ananda College Swimming pool starting at 8.30 a.m. each day.

Our primary aim is to improve the standard of swimming of all school children. To achieve this, we conduct competitions and swimming meets in a organised manner, said Dr. H. S. Perera, Chairman Ananda Swimming Pool Management Company at a press conference held at Singhalese Sports Club on Tuesday. Dr. Perera thanked the sponsors Tango for coming forward to sponsor this event and also to the officials of the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) for extending their support to make this event a success.

The swimmers, both boys and girls, will compete in 108 events in seven age categories under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16, under-19 and over 19. The participants will swim in all four strokes, breast, back, butterfly, freestyle and in individual medley in the 50 metres and 100 metres.

The Ananda Swimming Pool Management Company has decided to select the Top Ten swimmers in all age groups and also to select the champion swimmer (both boys and girls) in the age categories.

The first three places in all events will be awarded medals and certificates. The overall boys and girls will be presented the Ananda Swimming Pool Management Company Challenge Trophies. First day's (November 7) events will be worked off for girls, on November 8 and on November 9 mixed events.

The special feature is that swimmers from 88 government schools and 12 international schools together with 15 clubs will vie for major honours.