Lankan athletes leave for Bangkok
by Chinthana Wasala
Sri Lankan national athletes left for Bangkok, Thailand last night to
take part in the Thailand Open Athletics Championships which is to be
held at the Thammasat University Grounds in Pathumthani off Bangkok from
May 6 to 9.
The Lankan contingent consists of experienced campaigners in the
calibre of sprinter Shehan Ambepitiya (100m), high jumper Manjula Kumara
Wijesekara and seasoned Chandrika Subhashini Rasnayake (400m) while
Mohamed Safran (100m), D L Samarajeewa (5000m), W K L A Nimali (800m)
and Jani Chaturangani Silva (100m) will also be looking to book podium
finishes.
According to Athletics Association of Sri Lanka President Maj. Gen.
Palitha Fernando, the touring party was earlier expected to be around
20-25. When directed for Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage’s
approval, the original list included 30 athletes but due to lack of
funds, the number was reduced to 15. However with the withdrawal of
19-year sprinting star Himasha Eshan, only 14 athletes made it the
number of athletes who left for Bangkok was reduced to 14.
Eshan who has clocked 10.52 seconds this season was due to join the
4X100m relay squadron but his withdrawal is sure to affect Sri Lanka’s
performances in the said event which will see Shehan Ambepitiya, Mohamed
Safran, A.L.M. Ashrof and A.R.M. Rajaskhan in action, changing the
baton. However, he will have an opportunity to make his presence felt in
the upcoming National Trials in two weeks, having already achieved
qualifying standard for both the 100 and 200m in the IAAF World Junior
Athletics Championship. He is also a hot favourite for a medal in the
Junior Asian meet which will be worked off in Chinese Taipei in June.
Athletes in action at the Thailand Open
MEN:
A.R.M. Rajaskhan (200m)
Shehan Ambepitiya (100m)
A.L.M. Ashrof (100m)
Mohamed Safran (100m)
Manjula Kumara Wijesekara (high jump)
Eranda Dinesh Fernando (triple jump)
M.S.M. Saleemdeen (400m)
Akila Channaka Fernando (Race Walking)
D.L. Samarajeewa (5000m)
WOMEN:
Chandrika Subashini (400m)
Jani Chathurangani Silva (100m)
GTA Abeyratne (1500m)
WKLA Nimali (800m)
Geethani Rajasekara (5000m)
KKNC Damayanthi (Race walking)
OFFICIALS:
P.N. Devendra (Manager)
Dervin Perera (Coach)
Badra Gunawardane (Coach)
Ashoka Jayasundara (Coach)
N.M. Nayananda
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