Sports - Top athletes stay out with injuries at SA Federation games trials

The 2nd National Selection Trials for the forthcoming South Asian Games (SAG) conducted by the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka got underway at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday. On the opening day of the two day meet saw Navy’s G.N.D. Muthunayake having the honour of creating a Sri Lanka record with a throw of 13.84 metres in the Shot Putt event.

Muthunayake incidentally broke her own record of 13.33 metres she set at the National Championship held in February this year but it was yet way behind the distant of 15.36 achieved by India’s N. Latha at the previous 9th SAF meet held in Islamabad two years ago.

Another encouraging performance was witnessed in the Women’s 5000 event where 17 year old schoolgirl from Kudawewa Vidyalaya Suriyawewa W.K.L.A. Nimali representing the Hambantota AAA ran a race of her life to take the race with a timing of 17.37.48 seconds. She chased the leader E.L.A. Bogahawatte 400 metres from the end and pipped her almost at the finish to win the race.

In the other events held in both the men’s and women’s category. G.I. Bandara of Sri Lak AC, K.H.K. Gunatilake of Navy, G. Jayawardena of Sri Lak AC, T.N.D. Fernando of Air Force and R.M. Pushpakumara of Army won the 3000m Steeple Chase, Javelin, Discuss Long Jump and the 10000 metres respectively while P.K.P. Madhumanthi of Kurunegala AC, D.C. Ranaweera of Matara DAA and Viraj Chandra Vithana of Colombo DAA won their respective events in the finals of the women’s category.

President of the AASL Derwin Perera said that he was satisfied with the performance of the participants in the two trials conducted by them. The 3rd and final national selection trial will be held on July 15, 16 and 17. He also stated that some of the top athletes were unable to participate in the trials due to the participation at the Asian Grand Prix and some being injured. Susantha Jayasinghe is nursing an injury while Damayanthi Darsha is now recovering from her injury. But it will be compulsory for all the athletes to perform at the final trials. Derwin said Sugath Tilekeratne too is expected to make a come back from a back injury.

Today 12 finals each from the men’s and women’s category will be worked off starting from 8.00 in the morning to 6.00 in the evening.