Sports

The Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (ABA) will conduct the Layton Cup boxing meet from June 7 to 10 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. All the top pugilists from Sri Lanka’s leading clubs are down to participate in this vital championship.

The clubs that will be participating are Slimline BC, Army BC who will most probably field more than two teams, Police, Air Force, Navy, Seevali BC, Kalutara BC, Veyangoda BC, Nugegoda BC, Vidyartha BC, Kingswood BC and YMCA Kandy. Last year Slimline BC dominated the proceedings followed by Army with S.I. Kumara of Slimline BC being adjudged the best boxer and W.M. Bandara of Police the best loser.

President of the ABA, Dian Gomes said that the boxers will be scrutinized by the selection committee as this will serve as the final trials to pick a team of 11 boxers to represent Sri Lanka at the forthcoming South Asian Games (SAG) due to be held in Sri Lanka in August.

He further stated that the selectors have been advised to pick a standby squad to participate at two international boxing meets due to be held in Pakistan and Indonesia in July. The ABA intends to send a second string team to the two meets in Pakistan and Indonesia to give the selected boxers some international exposure to groom new boxers and give a rest to the boxers who will be selected for the SAG.Meanwhile eight boxers comprising of five women and three boys will leave the island on June 9 to participate at the Cadet’s and Women’s Open boxing meet scheduled to be held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam from June 11 to 18.

Three boxers from Slimline BC and two from Army BC make up the women’s team while all the three boys selected are from Vidyaratne, Horana the champions of the recently concluded Cadets Boxing Championship.

Twenty five countries are down to participate in the two championships and the women’s team are expected to fare well and bring home some medals, but it will be testing time for the boys who will face stiff opposition from the Asian region.

Women’s – Under 46kgs – Pinweight – L.G. Chandrika (Army). Under 48kgs - Light Flyweight – Anusha Kodituwakku (Slimline). Under 50kgs – Flyweight – Nilmini Jayasinghe (Slimline). Under 57kgs – Featherweight – M.M. Susanthika (Army). Under 60kgs – Lightweight – S.M.N. Senanayake (Slimline). Manager – Nivea Embuldeniya. Coach – Wasantha Kumara. Boy’s – Under 46kgs – W.S. Fernando (Vidyaratne Horana). Under 48kgs - Light Flyweight – A.A.D. Anuranga (Vidyaratne Horana). Under 50kgs – Featherweight – W.J. Suruendra (Vidyaratne Horana). Manager – W.M.M.R. Wekadapola. Coach – Amila Tissera.