The fourth consecutive MAS Novices Men and Women Boxing Championships was successfully concluded at the Unichela Koggala Gymnasium on 29th March after three very eventful days of boxing.
The coveted Dian Gomes Trophy awarded to Men’s and Women category was won by the Linea Clothing, Pallekele. Linea Clothing is a very successful business unit under the MAS Intimates Cluster. Conducted according to AIBA rules, this year’s tournament fielded many talented pugilists who have competed at School Level in various tournaments in their respective weight categories.
Chief Guest at the occasion Mr Jayantha Gunasekara, BOI Director, Koggala FTT Zone, very proudly awarded the Men and Women Championship Trophies to the successful Linea Clothing Team at the grand closing ceremony held in Koggala. This is the first time a Boxing Tournament has been organized in the BOI Zone at the Free Trade Zone, Koggala.
Out of over 110 participants, beating last year’s Champions, in Women’s weight categories Linea Clothing won women team championships. Linea Clothing Men team beat Silueta and won the Men’s Team Championship.
Many new talented young Boxers have emerged from with the MAS Holdings, 60,000 work forces, competing fiercely for the titles in their respective weight categories. Among them:
Best Boxer Women – PGK Wasana – Thurulie
Best Loser Women – PHP Sewandi – Silueta
Best Boxer Men – PMTS Ranasinghe – Linea
Best Loser Men – PASC Perera – Silueta-Silueta
The MAS Novices boxing meet has given young and talented Boxers in the private sector group an opportunity to train for and achieve a standard parallel to the best in Sri Lankan Boxing. These youngsters will be able to train with the best in Sri Lanka to finally compete at International meets, representing Sri Lanka. Sport in all forms is considered a virtue in the MAS Holdings group while boxing has become the favorite under the tutelage of former Sri Lankan Boxer Dian Gomes, the Managing Director of MAS Intimates.
The winners from the MAS Novices Tournament 2012 will be able to compete at the forthcoming ABA Novices Championships in June this year. They will provide a healthy competition for pugilists from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Police Sports Clubs. Boxing has been given a place of pride among sports in the MAS Holdings group and will allow for Sri Lanka to reach higher standards in the sport and compete at International meets confidently.
