The 7th Air Force Open Squash Tournament organized by Air Force is scheduled to be worked off from August 21 to 28 at the newly built Air Force Squash Complex at the Air Force Base in Ratmalana.
This was revealed by Air Vice Marshall Asoka Amunugama chairman of Air Force Squash at a press briefing held in Colombo. He further stated that this will be the fourth squash courts complex with the other three being in Buller’s Road, Katunayake and China Bay in Trincomalee.
The squash complex in Ratmalana will be a modified one which has the facilities of six squash courts that could hold international tournaments in the future.
The Air Force squash tournament which began in 2001 is being held for the seventh successive year and is a national ranking tournament which the Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF) sanctioned in the year 2002.
The SLSF has made this event an annual ranking tournament in view of the excellent facilities available at all the Air Force squash complex. The chairman speaking further said that this year we have invited Air Force squash players from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Malaysia.
So far Pakistan and India have confirmed their participation while Bangladesh and Malaysia are yet to confirm.
Oliver Guruge President of the SLSF said that the Air Force is leaving no stone unturned in their effort to improve the standard of the game.
It is a great encouragement being given to promote the game with the opening of the new squash complex in Ratmalana. It will be an asset for the school going children from Moratuwa, Panadura and for the others in southern district.
He further added that the new complex will give the SLSF good opportunities to hold international tournaments. Guruge said as the governing body of squash sports it is our duty to give them the much needed support and encouragement.
The eight day tournament will be worked off over the age groups of Under 9, 11, 13, 15, 15, 17 and 19. It will also include events for men and women open, men’s intermediate (over 35), over 45 and 50 and a plate event for men’s open losers in the first and second round and men’s and women’s novices.
Winners and runner up of the men’s and women’s open event will receive cash awards and all other winners and runners up will receive trophies and certificates.
The finals will be worked off on August 28 (Saturday) from 2.30 p.m. onwards and the chief guest at the awards ceremony will be Air Chief Marshall Roshan Goonethilaka, Commander of the Air Force.
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