Lankans confident of making it work
On the eve of their departure to the Maldives to take part in the 4th Carrom World Cup Sri Lankan slicers were beaming with confidence.
Speaking to the Sunday Times Chamil Cooray the Men’s skipper said he was confident that the Sri Lankans could put a good performance at this year’s championship, having players in the calibre of reigning World Champ Nishantha Fernando, Mohammad Shaheed and M.T.M. Hilmy who are capable of upsetting any international player with their attacking brand of play.
Presently occupying the 2nd slot in the World rankings Sri Lanka always expect stiff opposition from neighbouring India and not to underestimate other Asian countries like the Maldives and Bangladesh who also have shown vast improvement.
“Western countries like France, Germany and the United Kingdom too are also capable of creating an upset at any time at this world tournament. Our main target is to win the team championship which we last won in 2008 in France and we are confident in crowning as champs at this 4th World Championship” added Chamil Cooray.The captain of the women’s team Joseph Roshita too expressed her confidence in faring well at this year’s championship as Sri Lanka Women’s team is yet to come out with a championship. Comparing the other Asian countries who have experience of over ten years and Sri Lanka with a brief history of six years in international exposure will be making every effort to finish champions in this year’s edition. Correcting the mistakes they made at the last championship and with the guidance of the National Coach Langley Mathiasz the lasses are sure to come out with a notable performance. Chalani Lakmali Liyanage, Madushika Kanchanamala and Arosha Wickramasinghe along with Roshita are in fine touch after their successes at the recently concluded Plate Championships. At the last championship Sri Lankan double pairs of Kanchanamala and Rahubadda and Roshitha partnering Lakmali Liyanage finished second and third respectively ousting strong Indian pairs and the captain is sure in finishing at the top as champions.
The Sri Lankan squad left to Maldives on Friday afternoon.