21 Lankan swimmers ready to win medals at SAG
Twenty one swimmers have been selected for the 12th South Asian Games (SAG) Swimming Championships to be held in Assam, India from February 5 to 16. Nine men and 12 women has been selected to the team. The final Selection Trial was conducted on December 27, 28, 30 and 31 of December 2015 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Swimming Pool Complex. Moreover, the Selections were done according to the criteria laid out before the event which was also made available to the National Olympic Committee.
Manager Migara Gunatilleke says that Sri Lanka has the capability to win between five to seven Gold medals. According to veteran swim coach Julian Bolling Sri Lanka is sure to win three Gold. At the last edition of the SAG held in Bangladesh in 2010 India won 11 Gold in the men’s events while the Indian women won 5 Gold. Sri Lanka was able to win 5 Gold and 6 Silver.
In the history of SAG swimming India has won the highest number of Gold. In Sri Lanka only Julian Bolling has won the highest number of Gold at four Asian Games (1984, 1987, 1989 and 1991), amounting to 15 Gold Medals.
Male Swimmers: Mathew Abeysinghe, Kyle Abeysinghe, Kaveen Weerasinghe, Kavindra Nugawela, Kanitha Munasinghe, Cherantha De Silva, Akalanka Peries, Shehan De Silva. Female Swimmers: Kimiko Raheem, Machiko Raheem, Ishani Senanayake, Hasanthi Nugawela, Ramudi Samarakoon, K A Hiruni Perera, J U I Silva, Ridmi Rankothge, Vinoli Kaluarachchi, Dilrukshi Perera, Sandu Savindi, Himani Vithanage.
Officials: Julian Bolling, Manoj Abeysinghe,Indika Perera and Sugath Uyanhewa.
Manager: Migara Gunatilleke.