Stiff competition at Rentokil Squash Nationals Dec. 19 to 23

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

SQUASH: Stiff competition will be the feature when the Finlay Rentokil Squash Nationals will be played from December 19 to 23 at the Gymkhana Club Squash Courts.

With the participation of top ranked players and the SAF Games around the corner in January the five-day 29th National Championship has generated lot of interest as the tournament will serve the purpose for the selecting for the South Asian Games to be held in Dhaka in two months time. President of the Squash Federation Oliver Guruge said, "This year we have introduced a new category - boys under 23 in a bid to keep those going over the age groups of junior events in the game as a buffer to the senior team."

Navin Samarasinghe is the defending champion, but he will find a fierce competitor and a seasoned campaigner Saman Tillekeratne, a former national champion domiciled in France hoping to make his presence felt in this year's tourney. Tillekeratne has an intention of representing his country at next year's SAF Games. To do that he needs to participate at least in two local competitions.

The other players like Gihan Suwaris, Binura Jayasuriya, who are promising players in the men's category. In the women's category defending champion Damindi Udangawa will have to confront against Sharya Guruge, Randima Ranaweera, Nadini Udangawa. There is also a possibility of five times national champion Nirasha Guruge entering the arena as she will be homeward bound for Christmas. Mrs. Thushara Agus, Director, Finlay Rentokil (Pvt) Ltd. said that it was a pleasure to go hand in hand with squash even in a small way, and commended for the steps taken to improve the sport at school level. She concluded saying with the participation of Saman Tillekeratne, the spectators will be in for a rousing finale. Wing Commander Jaliya Jayasekera (Chairman, coaching committee), Romesh Croos Moraes (Director, Finlays CBO. PLC), Nishantha de S. Mohotti (General Manager Pest Control) were also present at the press briefing held at the Finlay Rentokil Board Room.