Nethmi Asaktha of President’s Girls’ School, Nawala has more than a few reasons to be happy. She will undoubtedly have pride in boasting to be the captain of the school’s table tennis team ever since the game was introduced there in 2008. Nethmi would be a barely-surprised individual to learn that a sport totally strange [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

The TT queen of the President’s team

By Naushad Amit
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Nethmi Asaktha

Nethmi Asaktha of President’s Girls’ School, Nawala has more than a few reasons to be happy. She will undoubtedly have pride in boasting to be the captain of the school’s table tennis team ever since the game was introduced there in 2008. Nethmi would be a barely-surprised individual to learn that a sport totally strange to her four years ago has managed to bring her into The year 2008 was not so fruitful for Nethmi and her team. They were total newcomers to the sport and were always at the receiving end of defeats to a host of skilful opponents. But the President’s Girls team led by Nethmi was never ready to retreat. They received a much needed boost from their school teacher Shalika Weerasuriya before veteran table tennis player and coach, Chandana Perera came forward to assist these youngsters.

In 2009, the team was taken over by one of their teachers named Madushani until Thushara Perera took over the reins as coach. With so many changes to their coaching staff, the young paddlers of President’s GS Nawala only grew stronger each day.

And then in 2010, Nethmi and her team began to harvest wins. She took on the responsibility and captained the Under-14 and Under-16 teams to be placed third in the All-Island Schools Championships from the ‘G’ Division. With her experiences gained in that year, Nethmi guided three teams to the top in the All-Island Schools Championships the following year. She led the Under-14 team to the ‘F’ Division title while in the Under-16 age category Nethmi and her lasses became runners-up in the ‘G’ Division. For the first time her school fielded an Under-18 team in the tournament and they managed to place third in the ‘F’ Division.

“Table tennis was taught to me by Mr. Neranjan when I basically knew nothing about the sport. But today I can be proud of myself and of the achievements my school and I have gained so far,” Nethmi says with glee.

Again in 2011, she took part in her first individual competition and became the Under-17 runner-up at the Friendship TT Challenge.

Nethmi in action

This year brimming with confidence, Nethmi took part at the All-Island Open tournament organised by the Nugegoda TT Sports Club and clinched the Under-18 Singles title. With that form Nethmi was able to guide President’s GS to the Under-16 ‘F’ Division Championship at the All-Island Schools Championship.

According to Nethmi, she has her sights set on the national championship, which she says has always been her aim, ever since she started to fall in love with table tennis. With those goals well set in her mind, Nethmi still hopes to grow stronger while receiving training under W.A. Buddhasiri and Namal Gunasekara. At present, Presidents GS is being coached by Gayan Dilupa Wijeratne. As a 15-year-old prodigy, Nethmi has paved a path that other girls would only dream of. For someone who knew nothing about a ‘pen hold’ or a ‘ping pong’ three years ago, Nethmi, by reaching the top at a rapid pace, has shown exactly what dedication and commitment can do.




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