Squash very popular among sporting public - Guruge

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

SQUASH: The cream of the country's squash players will be in action when the 'Sunquick' Open Squash championships will get underway from December 5 to 12 at the Gymkhana Club squash courts Maitland Place. This popular squash tournament was previously conducted as the Gymkhana Open Squash Championship, but C. W. Mackie PLC and it's Scan products division will sponsor the event for the first time this year. From next year onwards the sponsors will organise this tournament as a separate one with the consent of the Squash Federation.

The contest will be conducted for 8 days with 16 events on the card. It includes boys and girls under 11,13,15,17 and 19 and the main events Men's and Women's Open, Men's intermediate over 35 and Master's over 45.

"Squash is turning out to be a popular sport during the past year judging by the large number of entries for all tournament conducted this year". said Oliver Guruge the President of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation.

"The enthusiasm for the sport was great since the new committee took several far sighted measures to further popularise the game among the schools. The dividends are paying richly. Our wish is to see Sri Lanka emerge as a major squash playing nation in the region in the not too distant future. I am happy to have 'Sunquick' on board as principal sponsor." added Guruge.

General Manager Operations C. W. Mackie Scan Product Division Mangala Perera said that they were proud to be a part of the SLSF Squash Championship and was thrilled to note that squash has attracted large numbers of players in all age groups and was confident that 'Sunquick' will continue to be a key player in the rapid growth and development of squash in the country.

Kithsiri de Silva (Squash Convenor, Gymkhana Club), Shane Dullewa (Chairman Joint Sports and Hon Secretary Gymkhana Club) and Cosmos M Ockersz (Assistant GM, C W Mackie Scan Product Division) were also present at the media conference held in collection with the regard to the tournament at the Gymkhana Club Auditorium).

Entries will be accepted only at the SLSF Secretariat,Maitland Place and the Tamil Union C&AC, upto 5 pm on Monday November 30. The draw will be held on the same evening at 6.30 pm at the Gymkhana Club. The age cut-off date will be December 12, 2009.