CHENNAI: The most successful bowler in cricket history, Muttiah Muralitharan, on Wednesday bestowed World Squash Federation president N Ramachandran with the ‘Friend of Sri Lanka Squash’ title on the sidelines of the 15th Asian Junior Team Championships being held in Colombo.
In a splendid opening ceremony, Ramachandran thanked Sri Lanka squash for the special award. “I am humbled by this presentation. Sri Lanka and India shared a cordial relationship and the feeling of friendship was mutual,” he said. He complimented Lanka’s squash federation for their efforts which have produced remarkable results and requested Muralitharan, also the chief guest, to bowl for squash too.
The tournament will feature Asian best teams — eleven in men’s segment and eight in women. The tournament will be held in the newly constructed six court international standard Squash Complex of the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Ratmalana.
Meanwhile, worldwide squash administrators will converge there for the World Squash Federation’s Management Committee Meeting (Man COM) followed by the 31st Annual General Meeting of the Asian Squash Federation. President of the Sri Lanka Squash Federation, Oliver Guruge said: “Sri Lanka is happy and proud to host this important event in the international squash calendar.
He highlighted Ramachandran’s benevolence and the numerous ways he has supported them, which included the provision of coaching and refereeing services.