Janashakthi Open Squash Championships for eighth consecutive year

The 08th Annual ‘Janashakthi Open Squash Championships’ conducted by the Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF) and sponsored by Janashakthi Insurance PLC will take place in Colombo from 23 to 30 October 2010.

Organised for the eighth consecutive year, the Championships will be held at the Gymkhana Club Squash Complex, Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7. The SLSF has already declared it a National Ranking Tournament in view of the excellent squash court facilities available at the Gymkhana Sports Complex.  

This year’s Championships are billed to feature some great squash and brilliant performances of a very high standard, especially with the participation of top ranked players, particularly after the reconstituted National Pool.

The eight day long tournament will consist of 16 events which include: Men’s and Women’s Open, Men’s Over 35 and Over 45; and Boys and Girls Under 09, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 years. All winners and runners up will receive Janashakthi trophies and certificates.

Entries will be accepted only at the SLSF Secretariat, Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club up to 5.00 pm on Tuesday, 19th October 2010. The draw will be held at 6.00 pm the same day. The age cut-off date will be 30 October 2010.

President of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation Oliver Guruge said that the SLSF was particularly grateful to Janashakthi Insurance PLC. “This has been the most consistent of all of the Federation’s Open tournaments, with Janashakthi sponsoring it without a break since its inception in 2003. We anticipate a large number of entries and exciting squash at this year’s event, with most seeded players being in top form. There is already a lot of enthusiasm from all age groups after the successful completion of last year’s tournament”, he added.

Managing Director of Janashakthi Insurance PLC Prakash Schaffter said that Janashakthi was proud to partner the SLSF for an unbroken eight years. “Although a relatively new game to Sri Lanka, squash has gained tremendous popularity among all ages groups in record time. This is amply demonstrated by the increasing number of entries each year. Janashakthi is best known for its association with cricket, having sponsored several Sri Lankan test cricket series during the past few years. We have also extended our support to several other sports at national level such as hockey, rowing, sailing and athletics thus reiterating our commitment to the long term development of sports in Sri Lanka”.   

General Manager Sales and Marketing of Janashakthi Insurance PLC Ravi Liyanage will be the Chief Guest at the Finals and Awards Ceremony, with Head of Marketing Paddy Weerasekera as Guest of Honour, together with other Senior Managers in attendance.