U-18 Boys, Girls Paddlers Singapore-bound for Asian Table Tennis Championship

By Lakshman Ranasinghe

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Imasha De Silva

Muthumali Priyadarshani

Chamathsara Fernando

A strong Schools Table Tennis (TT) contingent comprising of 5 Girls and 5 Boys accompanied by 6 officials, left for Singapore on Friday to take part in the 5th Asian Schools TT Championship 2016. Organised by the Asian Schools Sports Federation (ASSF) and hosted by the Singapore Schools Sports Council, this event will be held at the Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Singapore from today (14) to August 18. The other countries participating are China, Hong Kong China, India, Indonesia, Macao China, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand. The tournament will be conducted in 2 Team events for Boys and Girls Under (U)-18 and Individual events for Boys and Girls U-18 (Singles), Boys and Girls Doubles (U-18) and Mixed Doubles (U-18).

Supuna WarusawithanaDinesh Kavishka

The Girls’ team will be led by Chamatsara Fernando of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, while the Boys’ team will be led by Anandian Supuna Warusawithana. Chamatsara is ranked No. 2 in both U-18 and U-21 age categories and No.4 in the Open category. She has represented Sri Lanka in international events held in India, Pakistan, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Scotland. Ranked No.3 in the U-18 category and No. 2 in the U-21 category, Boys’ team captain Warusawithana represented the national team at the South Asian Junior TT Championship (SAJTTC) 2016, and has toured India and Pakistan. The following officials will accompany the squad: Lalith Bandula (Head of the Delegation), Deepal Piyatissa (Manager), Chandana Perera (Girls’ Coach), Chaminda Rohan (Boys’ Coach), Kamani Nilangani (Lady Chaperon) and V.S. Balasubramanium (Umpire)

Girls’ Coach, Chandana Perera, speaking to the Sunday Times said, “This is an experienced side with 90% of the team bagging Gold at the 4th SAJTTC in Pakistan. The team’s morale is high and this Girls and Boys’ teams will give a good fight to world champion sides such as China, Japan and Indonesia.” Speaking further, Perera said that, “This time we are more focused on the team championship and Doubles events. Good performances in this championship will help youngsters at the forthcoming Asian Junior Championship to be held in Malaysia in mid September, and the Indian Open Junior TT Championship to be held end September.”

Girls: Chamatsara Fernando- Captain (Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo), Hansani Piumila (Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, Rank: No.1 U-18, No.2 Open)), Imasha De Silva (Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda, Rank: No.1 U-15, No.4 U-18, No.7 Open)), Muthumali Piyadarshani (Devananda College, Ambalangoda, Rank: No.3 U-18, No.5 U-21, No.6 Open) and Nathasha Sandavinee (Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, Rank: No.6 U-15, No.7 U-18)

Boys: Supuna Warusawithana (Ananda College, Colombo), Krishan Wickremaratne (Vidyartha College, Kandy, Rank: No.2 U-18, No.2 U-21), Dinesh Kavishka (Vidyartha College, Kandy, Rank: No.6 U-18, No.4 U-21), Sandesh Nissanka (Ananda College, Colombo, Rank: No.8 U-18, No.8 U-21) and Dishanka Thennekoon (Dharmaraja College, Kandy, Rank: No.5 U-18, No.9 Open).