SLT Mobitel to promote athletics

By Dhammika Ratnaweera

Sri Lanka Telecom Mobitel has come forward to sponsor the Relay Carnival which is scheduled to be held from May 4-6 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. According to the President of the Sri Lanka Athletics Association (SLAA), Major General Palitha Fernando, 66 boys’ schools and 57 girls’ schools have already confirmed their participation for this Relay Carnival conducted by the SLAA. Telecom Mobitel Chairperson Lesha de Silva Chandrasena will be the chief guest on the final day on May 6 at the awards ceremony. As much as 22 new records were established at last year’s event and keen competition is also expected at this Relay Carnival.
Nine men’s relay teams and seven women’s teams have entered for the inter-club championships. In addition 16 boys and 22 girls have registered to participate in the decathalon championship.
President of the Athletic Association, Palitha Fernando said this was the first tournament in the athletics’ calendar and Telecom Mobitel has agreed to sponsor this year’s tournaments which will be a great boost for athletes.
Fernando added that the Athletics Association intended to focus on young athletes and already plans have been made to set up a second string of young athletes to be trained for the future. Chandrika Subashini, Nadeeka Lakmali and Shehan Ambepitiya are three athletes the Association are concentrating on to give them more international exposure with the 2012 London Olympics in mind.