Local athletes present strong challenge at Athletic Nationals Sept 16 and 17

by Ranjan Anandappa

Over 1,200 athletes (men and women) including some athletes from Maldives and Nigeria are scheduled to participate at the 91st National Championships at the Sugathadasa Stadium tomorrow (Sept. 16-17). Bank of Ceylon will sponsor the meet for the second year.There have been a record number of entries for some events, mainly for the Men’s 100 (97), 200 m (80), 400m (94), 5000m (101) and 10,000 m. (80). Preliminary rounds will be conducted to find the semi-finalists.

The Athletic Association of Sri Lanka has invited five countries to participate at the National Championship, but only Maldives (4) and Nigeria (6) will be making it to the meet.This meet will help identify potential athletes for the two big events next year_the Asian Games to be held in South Korea and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.Meanwhile, according to Brig. Palitha Fernando, the President of the AA of Sri Lanka, the National athletic pool has been restricted to nine events in preparation of the Asian and Commonwealth Games. The men’s 4 x 400m relay team, javelin throw, long jump, high jump, triple jump and the women’s 400m, 800m and 400m hurdles which are possible medal winning events.

The athletes who are pooled for these events will be nurtured and looked after in anticipation of the two big events.