Age group badminton C' ships from today

by Ananda Kannangara

Badminton: A record number of 1215 school children from all parts of the country will take part at the `All Island Age Group Badminton Championship' final round to be held in Colombo from October 19 to 23.

The Sri Lanka Schools Badminton Association (SLSBA) will conduct the championship in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA). Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) Chief Executive Officer Shuhei Anan will be the chief guest at the grand finale to be held at Royal College Sports Complex in Colombo 7 on October 23 at 4.30 pm.

Speaking at a press briefing held in Colombo SLSBA, President Upali Gunasekara said that over 5500 sports men and women from 160 schools in the island represented at the preliminary rounds age group championships and 642 boys and 573 girls were selected to the final rounds.

The final rounds are conducted at Royal College Sports Complex, Colombo, St. Thomas' College Sports Complex, Mt. Lavinia, Musaeus College, Colombo and Sri Lanka Badminton Association grounds in Colombo from October 19 to 23.

SLSBA, Vice President Jagath Patabendige commended the high performances made by school children in distant areas at the preliminary rounds and said that this tournament will be extended to many more schools in the country next year including in the North and East.

President, SLBA Sumith Guruge said that their main intention was to provide adequate sports goods to schools, especially in rural areas and conduct the next Badminton Championship on a grand scale.

Sri Lanka Telecom, D. Samson Industries and the Yonex Sunrise Ltd of Singapore are the main sponsors of the tournament.