'Top Six' swimming meet attracts 1,000 competitors

By Leslie FERNANDO

SWIMMING: Nearly 1,000 swimmers from schools, clubs, institutions will swim at the 4th Annual All-Island Age Group Swimming Championship - 'Top six' organised by the Ananda College Aquatic Club together with the Ananda College Swimming Management Committee to be held on August 6, 7 and 8 at the Ananda College Swimming Pool, starting at 8.30 a.m.

At a press briefing held at the SSC pavilion on Wednesday, Dr. H. S. Perera - Chairman, Organising Committee said that in their determined effort to improve the standard of swimming and popularize swimming amongst the youngsters, they decided to organise this meet.

Dr. Perera thanked the sponsors Bank of Ceylon, celebrating their 70th anniversary, for coming forward to support them to make the event a success.

He further said that Ananda College swimming pool is 50 metres in length and single (eight) lanes is of international standard.

Events will be held for boys and girls in six age categories...... under-8, under-10, under-12, under-14, under-16, under-19. There will be events for open men and women too.

The events to be worked off are: 50 metres, back breast, butterfly and freestyle, 100 metres back, breast, butterfly and freestyle. In addition, 200 metres individual medley event is also on the cards.

The under-8 swimmers are allowed participate in three events, under-10 four events and from under-12 to open five events each.

Every age group winner will be presented trophies. In addition, the first three places in the respective events will receive gold, silver and bronze medals while the three other peace winners will be awarded certificates.

Overall champions will also be decided on points and will be presented the Ran Kekulu Challenge Trophies presented by the sponsors. Ananda College and Musaeus College, the undisputed schools boys and girls swimming champions, were the boys and girls overall champions last year.

The first day - August 6 the events be worked off only for girls, on August 7 for boys while on August 8 open men and women events will be held.

M. F. Gafoor, Head of Marketing, Bank of Ceylon, said that they were ready to support Ananda College Aquatic Club 'Top Six' meet at the request of Dr. H. S. Perera, who has really made great effort to organise this meet with his committee. Bank of Ceylon has sponsored several sports events and will continue to help the other sports controlling bodies too.

Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union will provide officials for the meet headed by JAS Somachandra, Director of the Meet.

Messrs C Egodawatte (Ananda College AC), MF Gafoor (Head of Marketing BoC), JAS Somachandra (SLASU), Dr HS Perera (President, AAC), H M A B Weerasekera (Deputy General Manager, BoC), Brendon Kuruppu (Sports Facilitator, BoC), Yohan de Silva (Vice President, AAAC), were present at the press briefing.

Dr Gamini Wickremasinghe Chairman Bank of Ceylon and Mrs Wickremasinghe will be the chief guests while L M D Dharmasena, Principal, Ananda College will be the guest of honour.

Entries close at 6 pm today (25th August).