Quarter-miler Aruna Dharshana will be appointed as the captain of the 83-member Sri Lankan athletic contingent at the South Asian Junior Athletic Championship (SAJAC) which will be held on the 5th and 6th of May 2018 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
Aruna from Weerakappatipola MV, Akuramboda created two new meet records in the 200m & 400m at the Junior National Championship with a head-turning time in the 400m clocking 46.59secs and will be competing in the 200m, 400m and in the 4X400m at the Games.
Maristonian speedster Chanuka Sandeepa who was the fastest U20 athlete clocking 10.84secs in the 100m will be the deputy skipper of the contingent. Sandeepa will also be an important cog in the wheel of the Sri Lankan 4X100 relay team in addition to competing in the 100m sprint, which is his pet event.
The speedster from the hills, Amasha De Silva has been awarded the responsibility of being the vice-captain of the contingent. Amasha swooped to victory in the 100m, 200m at the Junior Nationals and also was placed fourth in the 400m. She will be the busiest Sri Lankan athlete at the competition as she will be a part of the 100m, 200m, 4X100m and 4X400m.
India will send the second largest contingent for the competition behind the hosts with 68 junior athletes set to take part in the competition. The Indian team will arrive in the country tomorrow (3rd) and will be the strongest rivals of the host team.
Speaking at a media briefing regarding the SAJAC, president of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka (AASL)- Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando advised that the AASL is hopeful of a minimum of 10 Gold medals, taking the performance of the Sri Lankan juniors into consideration.
This is the first international event to be organized on the island since the Asian Grand Prix round that was held in 2013 and is set to mark the revival of Sri Lankan athletics as the young athletes will be looking to make use of the opportunity to excel amongst the regional competition. They will also have the opportunity to earn qualification for the upcoming Junior Asian Championship and the World Junior Championships at the event.
Sri Lanka’s #1 sports hub, ThePapare.com will be bringing you live action of the South Asian Junior Athletic Championship from the Sugathadasa Stadium on 5th & 6th of May 1345hrs (+05.30GMT) onwards. Visit South Asian Junior Athletic Championship, Colombo 2018 to witness the Sri Lankan juniors take on their regional rivals
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