Junior National Athletics Championship to be unfold from June 7

By Dhammika Ratnaweera

The Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) will hold the remaining events of the Junior National Athletics Championship from June 7 to 10 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

According to SLA Vice-President G.L.S. Perera, only a few events including finals were held on May 9, the opening day. The SLA decided to halt the meet and postpone it due to security reasons.

On June 7 (Tuesday), the boys’ under 18 Pole Vault will be the first event on the schedule commencing at 9 am, followed by the finals of under 16 girls’ Javelin Throw, under 18 boys’ High Jump, under 16 boys’ Long Jump, and the girls’ under 18 2000m Steeplechase. The boys’ and girls’ under 20 Steeplechase and boys’ under 23 Steeplechase finals will be the top attractions of the first day.

The events are to be continued on June 8, 9, and 10. According to the SLA VP, the events that could not be completed on May 9 will be held on June 7, and there will not be any changes to the schedule for the next three days.

“The four-day Junior National Athletics Championship is going to be a good competition among juniors, while the performances are also considered for the junior major international events such as the World Junior, Asian Junior, and South Asian Junior events. SLA is also celebrating its centenary year in 2022 and is expected to conduct the South Asian Junior Athletic Championship, although the dates have not been confirmed yet,” said a senior SLA official.

Promising athletes Tharushi Karunaratne of Walala A. Rathnayake Central (400m and 800m), Dhanuka Dharshana of Ambagamuwa Central (400m hurdles), Kaveesha Bandara of Royal College (110m Hurdles), Hirusha Heshan of St. Peter’s (Long Jump), St. Joseph’s Colombo’s triple jumper Pasindu Malshan, Rumesh Tharanga of St. Peter’s (Javelin Throw), Sithum Jayasundara (400m), Jayeshi Uththara (400m), and Amesha Hettiarachchi (400m hurdle) have already have qualified for the Junior World Championship, which is scheduled to be held from August 1 to 6 in Cali, Colombia.

“The SLA has not finalised the preparations to send all athletes for this meet due to financial challenges as the touring team is not finalised yet,’’ said a senior official of the SLA.