All Island schools Netball begins at Ratnapura tomorrow

Bernard Perera

NETBALL:The all Island inter schools Netball championships is scheduled for October 6, 7 and 8. This year the championship will be held at Ratnapura.

These details were disclosed by Mrs. Pushpa Kalubowila President of the Schools’ Netball Association at the press briefing held at Capri Hotel, Kollupitiya on Tuesday. The championship is lavishly sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd for the Milo Trophy for the 15th successive year.

The inter schools Netball championship which commenced in 1992 attracted netballers from all parts of the country, said the President. This year though requests were made and applications were sent to districts such as Trincomalee, Mannar, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Mullativu and Jaffna they have not responded positively.

She said that they have informed about their inability to be present due to difficulties beyond their control. But have informed their participation next year.

She further added that this year the tournament will be played under four age categories under 12, 14, 16 and 18. A total of 944 teams competed in 13 centres scattered all parts of the island from which 224 teams have qualified to play in the final stage at Ratnapura this weekend.

Answering a question she said that from next year the first stage will be broadbased and a district level competition will be introduced before the final stage to accommodate more teams from the District level.

She also thanked the sponsors Nestle Lanka Ltd for the continuous support during the past fifteen years. Bandula Egodage External Affairs and Activation Manager speaking on behalf of the sponsors said that his company is committed to develop sports in Sri Lanka and it is the main reason why they are supporting sports. Our endeavour has produced good results in the past.

The present National team comprises fully of players who were the participants at this championship. So it has become necessary for us to be entangled to sporting activities as it serves the nation at large. Minister for Rural Development Ratnapura, Premalal Jayasekera will be the chief guest on the opening day while Mohan Saliya Ellawala, Bandula Egodage, P. Wanigasekera Director of Education Ratnapura District are the guests of honour.

Minister for Electricity and Power W.D.J. Seneviratne will attend as chief guest on the final while Sameera Fonseka, Herath P. Kularatne and P. Kularatne are the guests of honour on this day.