National Sports Festival athletic finals on Monday

[October 31 2010]

Track and field events will reach its climax when a total of fifteen finals will be worked off on the third and final day of the 36th National Sports Festival at the Bogambara Stadium in Kandy tomorrow.

Among them are the two most glamour events of the athletic calendar namely the men’s and women’s 100 metres finals which are scheduled for 4.20 p.m. and 4.30 p.m respectively.

Asian Games bound athlete Jani Chaturangani de Silva is the favourite as she will be looking to extend her dominance and to improve on her own performances. The record in this event is of course held by former Sri Lanka sprint queen Susanthika Jayasinghe who clocked 11.38 seconds in 2000.

The other contenders for the women’s 100 metres gold medal are D. P.P.Priyadarshani (Western Province), N. C. D. Priyadarshani (Western Province) and D. P. P. Priyadarshani (Western Province).

Meanwhile the men’s 100 metres event will be an open race with star sprinter Shehan Ambepitiya as a doubtful starter due to an injury. In his absence up and coming athletes B. R.A. Hasaranga, S. Indika, N. A. Gayan and U. Sanjeewa will be making a determined effort to snatch the gold medal. Some of the top athletes who will be vying for honours today are Chaminda Wijekoon, Keith de Mel, Ashan Hasaranga, R. M. G. Chameera, S. M. Weerasinghe, Rohitha Pushpakumara, U. G. Wickremasinghe and K. K. Seneviratne. (C.D.)