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| Sunday, 12 January 2003 |
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Kandy District - overall champs and veteran athletes sparkle by LESLIE FERNANDO Kandy District athletes performed best to become overall champions, collecting 285 points at the Sri Lanka Veterans Athletic Association 17th annual championships held at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. Kandy District carried away the Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Amaradasa Memorial Challenge Trophy presented by P. H. D. Waidatillake. Gampaha District were runners-up with 237 points while Colombo District took third place with 200 points. It was amazing to watch the veterans perform in grand style, despite their ever growing age. The spirit of old athletes whose dedication and determination served as a great example to national and school athletes to follow. However it was Prochy N. Mehta of Calcutta, India who took the individual honours among women when she won four golds in her age category 45-49 years 100 meters - 14.8 secs, 200 metres 31.0 secs, 400 metres - 1.13.3 secs. and the long jump - 3.85 metres. Prochy who holds the record in the 400 metres held in Jakarta in 1996 said she was happy about her performances. She played hockey and basketball at national level but after children grew up took up to athletics. Prochy has been participating in the veterans athletic meets for past 14 years and she hopes to continue participating in future meets too. J. T. Rex Fernando (Colombo District), a former Sri Lanka Air Force athlete presently attached to John Keells Holdings won four golds in discus throw 18.76 metres, putt shot - 8.26 metres, javelin throw - 17.23 metres and long jump 3.25 metres in the 70-74 age group. Another athlete to win four golds was K. M. Karunaratne of Kandy District in the 60-64 age group. His wins came in 100 metres - 13.6 secs, 200 metres - 29.3 secs, 400 metres - 65.3 secs. and long jump - 4.31 metres. K. M. Karunaratne was also adjudged the Best Athlete of the Meet for his timing in the 400 metres for men 60-64 years. The other awards winners were - Best Performances (Track-Men), N. Wickramarachchi of Kandy District 50 years age group - 400 metres 56.8 sec. Best Performance (Track-Women) Mallika Satchithananda of Colombo District 70 years and over 100 metres - 17.7 secs. Best Performance (Field-Men), G. L. Jayasundera of Gampaha District 50 years and over long jump 5.51 metres. Best Performance (Field-Women), Prochy N. Mehta (Calcutta-India), Long jump 3.85 metres. Best Athlete (Track-Men), Austin Jayatillaka of Kurunegala District 70 years and over 100 metres - 14.85 secs. Jayalath Jayawardena, Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees and Patron of Gampaha District Veterans Athletic Association was the chief guest. |
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