Three international meets for swimmers

By Leslie Fernando

SWIMMING: Sri Lanka Swimmers will have the opportunity of participating in three international swimming meets for the year 2008. In addition, the swimmers will also concentrate on domestic events too.

According to Samantha Wickremasinghe, Secretary Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union, the swimmers first will participate at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in July in Malaysia, two swimmers (to be selected by SLASU by end of May) will participate at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China and the 2nd South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships in Islamabad, Pakistan in September.

The swimmers who fare prominently at the Pentathlon Swimming Meet, National Short Course Swimming Championships and the Age Group Swimming Championships will have the great chance of getting selected to swim at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships and the South Asia Swimming Championships.

The 2008 Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union aquatic calendar is as follows: Novices Swimming Championships February 21 to 24 at the Sugathadasa Stadium swimming pool, annual Mt. Lavinia two mile sea swim March 2, synchronised swimming levels competition March 15 at Ladies College pool, Ellawala League Waterpolo Championships and women's League on March 29 at Police Sports Club swimming pool at Narahenpita, Short Course National and Junior National Championships on April 3 to 5 at Aladin Swimming Pool, Matale, Under-20 Swimming Meet on April 26 at Police Sports Club swimming pool.

Pentathlon Swimming Championships May 16 and 17 at Sugathadasa Stadium pool, Masters Long Course Swimming and Waterpolo Championships on June 14 at Police Sports Club pool, Age Group Swimming Championships July 10 to 12 at Sugathadasa Stadium pool, Level Competition in Synchronised Swimming on September 27 at Hillwood College pool in Kandy.

National Swimming, Diving, Waterpolo and Synchronised Championships October 29 to November 1 at Sugathadasa Stadium pool, Masters Short Course Swimming Championships on December 8 at Sugathadasa Stadium pool.