Over 300 competitors expected at Air Force Squash Tourney

Bernard PERERA

The sixth annual Open Ranking Squash Tournament organised by Sri Lanka Air Force Squash Committee will commence on July 4 and conclude on July 11 at the Air Force Squash Courts Katunayake. Entries for the event is to be closed on June 29.

Last year three Airmen from Pakistan on an invitation extended by Sri Lanka Air Force participated at this event. This year too the organisers have extended the invitations to India and Pakistan and Bangladesh Air Force teams to compete said Wing Commander Jaliya Jayasekera President of the Air Force Squash committee addressing a press briefing on Tuesday at the Air Force Base in Colombo. He said that all three countries have confirmed their participation with three players from each country.

Last year over 200 competitors participated and the organisers expect the number to exceed 300 mark. This is mainly due to the efforts done by the governing body to popularise the sport in the outstations. According to organisers preliminary round matches will be played at Gymkhana club courts and the semi finals and the finals are scheduled to be conducted at the Katunayake Base Squash Courts on July 10 and 11.

The winners of the Men and Women open championship will be awarded the Harry Gunetilleke Trophy and the Paddy Mendis Trophy along with purse of Rs. 100,000, while the two runners up to are to receive Rs. 50,000 each.

Navin Samarasinghe defeated Eranga Amunugama to win the men's open title last year and Rauding Ranaweera clinched the womens title deating Nirasha Guruge in the final last year.

This year too these finalists have entered the fray and top class squash is expected to thrill the spectators.

Jayasekera announced that with the blessings of the present commander of Air Force Roshan Gunetilleke an International Level Squash Courts is under construction at Ratmalana Air Base and they hope to complete the work by the end of the year and also hope to conduct an international tourney during the early part of next year.