Mercantile Swimming Championships today

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

SWIMMING: Twenty six Mercantile Establishments will take the plunge at the 5th Mercantile Swimming Championship for the President's Trophy at the Thurstan College Swimming Complex today (Sunday) commencing at 7.45.am.

This event organised by the Thurstan College Aquatic Club in association with the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union is the only swimming meet essentially conducted for the swimmers employed in the Mercantile Sector.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, bringing back nostalgic memories of his childhood at Thurstan College and reminiscing his school days as an athlete at Public Schools fame, had promptly agreed to donate the 'Trophy' in the history of sports at Thurstan College.

Lion Gratian Gunawardhana, the mastermind behind the swimming complex, built with his own finances mainly to give something in return to his old school which he adores so much.

At a press briefing held in connection to the event, Lion Gratian Gunawardhana said that the concept of constructing a swimming pool started like a fellowship. "Teachers told us that we should give something back to the school and when I was offered the project, I gladly accepted it," said Lion Gunwardhana.

"Swimming should be taught when you are young. A champion swimmer cannot be created when you are an adult. I have one disappointment because Thurstan has still not produced a champion swimmer," he said. Among the main participants are defending champions John Keells, Mass Holdings, HSBC, Hayleys, Standard Chartered Bank, Amba Research, Commercial Bank, Sampath Bank and Colombo Dockyard.

Seventy three events are scheduled to take place today and the competition will end with an exhibition diving display at 5.30 pm.