SLTA yet to decide on prize money for Colombo Championships

by Lal Gunasekera

Sponsorship monies totalling Rs. 500,000 has been received, but with just six days remaining, the Playing Section of the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) has yet to decide on the prize money for various winners at the 91st Colombo Open Championships to be staged on the clay courts of the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Greenpath from June 24 to July 9.

There are plenty of sponsors who have pumped in money, including Lenovo, Horizon Real Estate Property Developers, Hanjin Shipping, Colonial Group of Companies, DHL and Metropolitan Group, but the President of the SLTA's Playing Section, Lalith Withana, says that "it all depends" on the SLTA (controlling body) rules.

Sri Lanka's Davis Cup team now preparing for next month's competition in the Philippines, too are expected to play at the Colombo Championship, which is a Grade 'A' tournament of the SLTA.

However, only Rohan de Silva and Rajiv Rajapakse have confirmed, with Harshana Godamanne and Amrith Rupasinghe yet to do so. But, the organisers are expecting over 500 entries for this tournament, which is considered second in importance to the Nationals.

The event to be worked off are - Men's Singles and Doubles, Women's Singles and Doubles, Mixed Doubles, Men's over-35 Singles and Doubles, Men's Over-45 Singles and Doubles, Men's Over-55 Singles and Doubles, Men's Over-65 Singles and Doubles, Mixed Double Over-40, Boy's and Girl's Under-18 Singles and Doubles, Boy's and Girl's Under-16 Singles and Doubles, Boy's and Girl's Under-14 Singles and Doubles, Boy's and Girl's Under-12 Singles, Boy's and Girl's Under-10 Singles. Entries close on Tuesday (June 20) with the draw taking place on Thursday (June 22) at 6 P. M. at the SLTA.

Last year (2005), Rohan de Silva and Amritha Muttiah won the men's and women's singles titles respectively and will face a difficult task to retain their titles. Amritha will receive stiff resistance from the likes of Jithmi Jayawickreme (reigning national champion), Amith Arudpragasam and Tavindra Ekanayake.