All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships
by Reemus Fernando
Both sprinter Isuru Kaushalya and Tharushi Karunaratne had to face ordeals in the run up to the All Island Schools Games Athletics Championships due to the unavailability of their regular training grounds. But those setbacks could not hold the duo from excelling as they went on to establish new meet records at the Sugathadasa Stadium on Sunday.
Ratnayake Central Walala runner Karunaratne had allegedly been ill treated by the officials of the Digana Sports Complex for failing to pay 30 rupees to enter the stadium for her daily routine. Her brother, Harsha Karunaratne, who is among top notch athletes in the country, had questioned the rationale behind such a move. Instead of solving the minor payment issue the Central Province Sports authorities had closed the Sports Complex for him for two weeks without conducting even an inquiry.
Despite the setback, Tharushi, who has represented Sri Lanka at back to back World Junior Athletics Championships lived up to her billing. By third day yesterday she had three first places against her name including two new meet records.
Yesterday she won the Under 20 girls’ 200 metres before anchoring the Under 20 girls’ 4×400 metres team to a new meet record time of 3:53.82 seconds. On Saturday she broke the Under 20 girls’ 400 metres record as well.
Ananda Sastralaya, Mathugama sprinter Kaushalya could not attend regular training at Public Ground Matugama in the run up to the meet. The ground had got muddied after a carnival held at the venue. The authorities had not taken measures to prevent heavy vehicles coming in to the ground during the carnival. Yesterday, Kaushalya overcame the setback to establish a new meet record in the Under 20 boys’ 200 metres. He clocked 21.47 seconds to erase Shehan Ambepitiya’s 2008 record. He was also the winner of the 400 metres of the age category on Saturday.
Deneth Induwara of Leeds International made his presence felt as he registered his second record breaking performance. Sprinter bagged the 200 metres title of the Under 18 age category with a 21.73 seconds meet record time. That was following his record breaking 100 metres dash. Today is the fourth day of the championship.