Nalanda to popularise squash among schools

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

SQUASH: In a bid to popularise squash among the schools, Nalanda College has taken a bold step in inaugurating an invitation squash tournament scheduled to be played between 3rd and 8th December at their newly constructed squash courts, at Campbell Place.

The tournament is sponsored by Stafford Motors, Hero Honda.

The squash court was built at the cost of seven million rupees and donated by Kassapa Mahendra de Silva - a distinguished old boy of Nalanda .

Six schools in six age groups, namely under 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 will participate. The schools include host Nalanda, S. Thomas', St. Sylvester's Kandy, St. Peter's, D. S. Senanayake, St. Joseph's.

Chairing a media briefing in connection with the tournament, the principal of Nalanda College Ranjith Jayasundara said that the main concept of conducting a tournament of this nature is to promote the game in the Colombo District and uplift the standard of the game. "Nalanda began to play squash a year ago and since the game has gathered momentum, Nalanda emerged runner-up at the Under 17 Age Group tournament," he said.

The tournament will be conducted with the consent of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation and Oliver Guruge who is the President of SLSF, also spoke at the occasion. He said that it was a commendable effort by Kassapa de Silva to construct the squash courts at his personnal expense which is a great step taken forward towards the development of the sport.

Guruge further stated that sports and studies should go hand in hand and it will also keep one away from the doctor and will bring opportunities for the players to win scholarships to play squash abroad. On behalf of the SLSF, Guruge presented two dozens of squash balls to conduct the tournament.