Janashakthi Open Squash Championships for ninth consecutive year

The ninth Annual ‘Janashakthi Open Squash Championships’ conducted by the Sri Lanka Squash Federation (SLSF) and sponsored by Janashakthi Insurance PLC commenced on 11 November and will continue until Sunday 20 November 2011.

Organised for the ninth consecutive year, the Championships are being held at the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club Squash Complex.

The SLSF has already declared it a National Ranking Tournament. 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. The age cut-off date was 20 November 2011.

The ten day long tournament consists of 19 events which include: Men’s and Women’s Open, Novices, Men’s Over 35, Over 45 and Over 50; and Boys and Girls Under 09, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 years. All winners and runners up will receive Janashakthi trophies and certificates.

President of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation Commodore Palitha Weerasinghe 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. They have also been without any squash tournament since September this year. 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 nine 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 Shehara de Silva will be the Chief Guest at the Finals and Awards Ceremony, with DGM General Sales Graeme La Brooy as Guest of Honour and AGM Sales & Marketing Kennedy Michael and other Senior Managers in attendance.