Lankan slicers take part in SAARC C’ships
View(s):By Naushad Amit
A nine-member contingent who will represent Sri Lanka at the 17th South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the 5th Asian Carrom Championships left the country on Friday night to Kolkata, India. The contingent includes six players and tree officials of which two will involve with officiating the championships directly.
The national carrom squad. - Pix by Amila Gamage
The slicers will have very little time to adjust themselves as they will be seen in action today at the 17th SAARC Championship. This competition will last for three days before concluding on May 7. After a two-day break the players will be seen back in action at the 5th Asian Carrom Championship which begins on May 9 and end on 11 May. Both competitions will include singles and doubles for both men and women in addition to mixed doubles and team events in both categories.
The players include reigning national champion Chamil Cooray as the skipper of the men’s team alongside world champion Nishantha Fernando and Brindley Wickremasinghe. The women’s team will be led by current national title holder Chalani Lakmali who will have the services of experienced Yashika Rahubadda and Joseph Roshita. Dimal Senaratne and Madushika Kanchanamala will be the stand bys in the squad.
Rohini Mathiasz, who joins the contingent as its lady chaperone will also be the chief
 Men’s skipper Chamil Cooray |
 Women’s skipper Chalani Lakmali |
referee of both championships. According to her, the Sri Lankan carrom players have been engaged in pool practices since two weeks prior to the departure under the guidance of national coach Langley Mathiasz who will interestingly not join the tour due to lack of funds.
“Our players are in good shape and we are confident that they can come out with solid results as both competitions will be held under similar conditions as home. Both competitions will be of certain challenge for us as we will get the world force in carrom featured at both events. Our players are seasoned for these types of confrontations,” she said.
Among other officials on tour are senior vice president J.S.R. Rodrigo who has been appointed as the manager of both teams and Kamala Abeyweera who will take part as an umpire. The contingent is expected to return to the island on May 13.
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