Bandarapola MV annexes U15 netball title in Matale
View(s):
Standing from left: Dantha Marapana (Sports Coordinator), Dushanthi Durga, Tarushika Ramanayake, Upesha Dissanayake, Malithi Ekanayake (President MD Netball Association), Chinthana Ekanayake (Chief Guest), Krishni Siriwardhane (Coach/TIC), Malsha Weerasinghe (Captain), Rashini Ariyasena, Hansika Ratnayake, Piyumali Jayasinghe, Dhammika Hewawasam (Assistant Director of Education Sports – Matale Ed. Zone) Squatting from left: Takshila Kumari, Madushi Jayasinghe, Bhagya Herath, Rasanjali Makolaarachchi, Ashani Kulatunga
A little known school, Bandarapola Maha Vidyalaya in Matale excelled to annex the Under-15 title at the Matale Educational Zone Inter-School Netball Championship 2015 for the Nandimitra Ekanayake Challenge Trophy held at Bernard Aluvihare Stadium in Matale last week for the sixth consecutive year.
They beat fancied Sri Sangamitta Girls Matale in the final. It is a great achievement for this school situated in the interior of Matale, which started playing netball five years ago. This was their first title win in a Matale Education Zone Inter-School Netball Competition and all credit should go to their coach and teacher-in-charge Krishni Siriwardhane who did her job with sheer dedication to change the team to a fighting outfit.
The team was led by Malsha Weerasinghe, who was later named as the best player of the Under-15 age group. In the Under-17 age group, Bandarapola MV finished runners-up, having lost to Wijayapala MV Harasgama in the final. Wijayapala MV Harasgama Matale won both Under-17 and Under-19 titles defeating Bandarapola MV and Vijaya College Matale in the respective finals.
Under-17 Champions Wijayapala MV Harasgama Standing from left: Udeni Gunaratne, Keshani Wijeratne, Sathsarani Kumaratunga, Udeshika Ranasinghe (PTI/Coach), Kaveesha Lankatilake (Coach), Bandara Sewwandhi, Ishara Amarasinghe Squatting from left: Hirushi Gunadasa, Hashini Fernando, Tarushi Gunadasa, Hirunika Pathmasiri, Dilhara Rupasinghe, Sithumini Rajapakse
Three players from the respective age groups were adjudged as the outstanding players of the Championship. They are – Malsha Weerasinghe of Bandarapola MV from the Under-15 category, Sathsarani Kumaratunga of Wijayapala MV from the Under-17 category and Poornima Tennakoon of Wijayapala MV Harasgama from the Under-19 category.
This year’s netball championship which was organised and conducted by the Sports Unit of Matale Education Zone saw 22 schools taking part. Central Provincial Councilor Chinthana Ekanayake graced the presentation ceremony as the Chief Guest while the President of Matale District Netball Association Malithi Ekanayake was the Guest of Honour.
- L.D. Chandrasiri in Matale
Under-19 Champions Wijayapala MV Harasgama Standing from left: Maleesha Ariyaratne, Dilshani Jayasooriya, Madushani Ranasinghe (Captains), Udeshika Ranasinghe (PTI/Coach), Iresha Harshani, Kalyani Wijeyasinghe Squatting from left: Umashi Dunuke Bandara, Chethana Nilmini, Madusha Harshani, Poornima Tennakoon
The three captains of respective champion teams receiving their trophies from the Chief Guest Chinthana Ekanayake. From left Under-19 Madushani Ranasinghe of Wijayapala MV, Under-17 Kaveesha Lankatilake of Wijayapala MV and Under-15 Malsha Weerasinghe of Bandarapola MV