Editorial

Security

Politics

World

Letters

Sports

Obituaries

Archives

by LAL GUNESEKERA

Nizam Hajireen was the Chairman of the Jury of Appeals in Sepaktakraw at the 14th Asian Games concluded in Busan, South Korea recently and was awarded a diploma and medal by the President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheik Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, and the President of the Asian Games Organising Committee, Dr. Chung Soon-Taek.

Hajireen, who is the President of the Sri Lanka Amateur Sepaktakraw Association (SLASA) and also a senior Vice-President of the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (ASF), said that Thailand dominated the sport by winning five of the six gold medals on offer.

The Thais won the gold medal in the men's team and Regu events, while also striking gold in the women's team and Regu events. Eleven countries competed in Sepaktakraw.

They were South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, China, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines who withdrew after the circle events. Sepaktakraw was worked off at the Donc Sco University's Indoor Stadium.

Hajireen further disclosed that the Asia Sepaktakraw Federation (ASF) at its Council meeting in South Korea had requested the Sri Lanka Amateur Sepaktakraw Association (SLASA) to hold an international tournament for both men and women in Colombo next year (2003) as Sri Lanka has been a member of the ASF since 1985. He said that all assistance will be provided by the ASF to conduct this tournament successfully with the blessings of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports so as to popularise this sport in the country.

The tournament, which will be staged at either the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium or the National Youth Services Council (NYSC), Maharagama, will see five men's teams from Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Sri Lanka and five women's sides from Vietnam, Thailand, China, South Korea and Sri Lanka participating.

Hajireen has been requested to give a feasibility report in this regard to the ASF during the King's Cup Tournament when Sri Lanka too will compete in March next year 2003. Some of the participating countries will be at the King's Cup in Bangkok are Brazil, Peuto Rico, Canada, USA, Sudan, Finland, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and the regular countries from Asia.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager