Heshan, Mayumi for Beijing Olympics
By Leslie Fernando
[email protected]
OLYMPIC: Two of the most promising and outstanding swimmers
'powerhouse' Heshan Unamboowe of Trinity College who established four
new Sri Lanka records at the recently concluded FINA World Short Course
Swimming Championships held in Manchester, London and 'golden girl'
Mayumi Raheem who won ten medals at the 2006 SAF Games now presently
training under an American coach in Singapore has been selected to swim
at the Olympic Games to be held in August in Beijing.
Nethru Nanayakkara, Media Co-ordinator SLASU said that the committee
had no hesitation of picking these two swimmers to represent Sri Lanka
in Beijing as both were on hundred percent on the criteria set by FINA
(World Controlling Body for Swimming) NOC, National Sports Council and
SLASU.
Both have performed exceptionally well in the local and international
meets for the past two years and has won laurels to the country.
Trinitians Unamboowe, the 16-years-old swimmer who has won the best
swimmer's award in all the meets conducted by SLASU and Schools Swimming
association and Mayumi has excelled in all the meets she has
participated. The 15-years-old Mayumi was the 'star' women's swimmer at
the Colombo South Asian Games.
Nanayakkara added: "At last we have settled the issue of selecting
the two swimmers for Beijing Olympics. There were several names such as
Andrew Abeysinghe (now in USA), Daniel Lee (presently in Australia),
Miniruwani Samarakoon of Gateway International School, Kandy, Mineka
Karunaratne of Asian International School for selections. But SLASU
decided on Heshan and Mayumi on performances and criteria set by the
authorities.
Both names however has to be approved by the Ministry of Sports on
the recommendation of NOC, Sri Lanka National Sports Council.
Both swimmers' air fare and other facilities are looked after by FINA.
This is the normal procedure when local swimmers compete at
international meets FINA provide free tickets and board and lodging said
Nanayakkara. |
