15th Asian Masters Athletic Championship Jan 13 - 17 in Thailand

ATHLETICS: 15th Asian Masters Athletic Championship which was postponed due to the siege at the Bangkok Airport in Nov 2008, will now be held from 13-17 January 2009 in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

127 men and women athletes along with 7 officials will represent Sri Lanka. At the 14th AMA Championship in Bangalore 2006, Sri Lanka were runners-up beating Japan to 3rd place with a record haul of medals. Sri Lanka win 156 medals including 58 Gold, 55 Silver and 43 Bronze.

P.H.D. Waidyatilaka, President of the Sri Lanka Masters Athletic Association is confident that the athletes will perform equally well this year.

However, the competition from China and Japan will be tougher than in 2006, in addition to that of the home team Thailand with the largest contingent of athletes. India which won the championships in 2006, too will be keen to repeat the performance in Thailand.

Athletes who stand out in the Sri Lankan contingent are: Mallika Satchithananda, (70 age group), H. H. Thambaralatha, (F 35), T.I.E Karunaratne, (F 60), G. S. C. Dahanayake, (M 50), N. Wickramarachchi, (M 55), K. A. P. Ariyaratne, (M 55), Gamini Weerasinghe, (M 50), R. M. Mangalika (F 40).

The Sri Lanka team will be led by P. H. D. Waidayatilaka as Chef de Mission. Waidyatilaka who is also the Chairman of the Asian Masters Athletics will be called upon to perform more duties at the championship.

T. J. Chandradasa is the team manager with K. Satchithananda as co-Manager. M. A. W. Mallikarachchi is the women's manger, while K. M. Karunaratne, Senani Bogahawatte and Sriyani Weerasinghe are the asst. managers. Capt of the team - M. M. G. Bandara.