AIS excel in Basketball in 2014
View(s):Asian International School, Colombo with a rich harvest of trophies in Basketball 2014, won six championship awards and finished as the runners-up in two championships in both under 17 and under 19 age groups for 2014.
An interesting feature of their proud record was that in three under 17 tournaments they won.
Praveen Ganlath
Taher Akbarally and Damshika Piyasena were adjudged the Most Valuable Player, Best Defensive and Offensive Players in all three finals.
Two members — Praveen Ganlath and Dimitri Grebe had the honour of representing Sri Lanka in various international tournaments in under 16 and under 18 categories.
Ganlath led the Sri Lanka team that won the under 18 SABA Championships held in India in 2014 and was a member of the national pool.
Praveen was featured in the 1st 3×3 championship held in Bangkok and in 2012 he took part as a national player in the Asian Championship held in China. He also was a part of the SABA Championship in India and was a member of the Sri Lanka Schools team that won the 49th Senior National Championship. He also took part in the Under 16 SABA championship in India in 2012.
Dimitri Grebe
Dimitri Grebe won his national colours when he took part in the under 18 SABA Championship in India.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, skipper of the Asian International School Basketball team Bevan Samuel said hard practice, correct application and dedication were the secrets behind his team’s success. They practiced 4-5 days a week under the watchful eyes of the coach Ajit Kuruppu.
The two national players Praveen and Dimitri too agreed with the captain in their ascend and stated that considering their performances in the local national tournaments they were selected to the National Junior pool and that made the way for them to be selected to the Junior Sri Lanka teams. They also paid a huge tribute to the school authorities for their support and encouragement.
The teams were represented by Bevan Samuel (Captain), Dimitri Grebe, Praveen Ganlath, Hasitha Perera, Taher Akbarally, Stephen Perera,Gavin Ramsay, Kenneth Wickremasinghe, Vinsuka Sanasgama, Damshik Piyasena, Chamatka Seneviratne and Shezon Perera.
- Summery of notable performances in year 2014 Under 17:
- Colombo South Zonal Champions – Most Valuable player: Taher Akbarally,
- Best Defensive Player: Damshik Piyasena
- ‘A’ Division All Island Champions – Most Valuable Player: Taher Akbarally, 
- Best Offensive Player: Damshik Piyasena
- Inter International Schools Tournament Champions – Most Valuable Player: Taher Akbarally,
- Best Offensive Player: Damshik Piyasena
- Under 18 – Western Province Champions
- International Schools Tourney Runner-up – Best Offensive Player: Dimitri Grebe
- Colombo South Zonal Champions –
- Best Defensive Player: Hasitha Perera,
- Most Valuable Player: Taher Akbarally
- Under 19 – ‘A’ Division Runner-up –
- Best Offensive Player: Dimitri Grebe
- Inter International Schools Champions – Best Offensive Player: Praveen Ganlath,
- Most Valuable Player: Dimitri Grebe.
-LR
- Pix by Ranjith Perera