Outstation swimmers lack technique - Director Sports

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

The ever popular Sri Lanka Schools Swimming and Diving Championship will be held for the 38th consecutive year when it gets under way on June 23 - 26 at the Ananda College Swimming pool.

The meet is sponsored by Milo and conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Association.

Over 1800 swimmers from about 150 schools will take part in this competition which is steadily increasing in numbers of participants each time it has been held.

At a press briefing held with regard to the championship at the CR & FC new pavilion auditorium the president of the Sri Lanka Schools Aquatic Association Rohana Karunaratne who is also the Sri Lanka Schools Sports Director General the championship has generated more enthusiasm with the participation of the International Schools.

The meet will be conducted in six age groups, namely under 9, 11, 13,15,16, and 19. St.Joseph's College, Colombo and Mahamaya ,Kandy were the winners of the boys and girls events last year.

Rohana Karunaratne further said that his main intention is to get back the boys and girls who have lost interest in sports back into the forefront. " Due to various reasons, many have given up sports in schools. May be due to attending tuition classes. And at one stage parents were reluctant to send their children to take part in sports activities fearing the country's unrest situation at one stage."

Rohana Karunaratne is no stranger in the field of sports in schools. He was once the president of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association. While thanking the media for their support rendered towards sports in a big way, he said that the joy of seeing one's name in print after performing well, gives him great encouragement for his future endeavours. He concluded saying that talented swimmers could be found in many districts of the Island, but without teaching them proper swimming technics it was difficult for them to reach higher standards.

Associated with the media briefing was Bandula Egodage Assistant Vice President Corporate Affairs and Communication, Norman Kannangara Assistant Vice President Beverages, Sajeeva Wickremasinghe Sponsorship And Activation Manager and Chintha Ruwanpathirana secretary SLSAA.