Sri Lanka Junior Spikers off to Chinese Taipei
Sri Lanka's national sport is yet to make an impressive outing globally
The Sri Lanka Junior Men’s Volleyball team will take wing to Chinese Taipei on July 6 to take part in the 18th Asian Junior Men’s (under 21) Volleyball Championships. The competition will commence on July 9 and will end on July 17. The event is being organised by the Asian Volleyball Confederation. Sixteen Asian countries will vie for honours at this nine day event. From this tournament the champions will qualify to take part in the World Junior Men’s Volleyball Championship 2017. Shehan Lakshitha Bandara of Wennappuwa Joseph Vaz will lead the team. The Vice-Captain is Rehan Madusanka Fernando of Seeduwa Davisamara MV.
It should be noted that there are five players from Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa in the team and four players from Davisamara MV Seeduwa. The team is coached by former national player Channa Jayasekera. “Our main target is to be amongst Asia’s top eight,” said Channa Jayasekera in an interview with the Sunday Times. Speaking further Channa Jayasekera said that he has players who had performed extremely well at competitions. “The team also received rigid training and should be able to reach the required target”, concluded Channa. The last edition of this tournament was in 2014 when 18 Asian countries participated and Iran emerged champions defeating China in the final. Iran has won the championship on five occasions. Sri Lanka occupied 11th place in 2014.
The Sri Lanka team:
Shehan Lakshitha Bandara (Capt), Kavindu Pabasara Chandrasiri, Vinod Maduranga Pieris, Nuwan Thakara Jayalath and Roshan Madubashana (all from St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa), Rehan Madusanka Fernando (Vice Captain), Mihiranga Udayakumara, Vishmana Chankama and Chamika Sandaruwan (all from Seeduwa Davisamara MV), Lakshan Chamuditha Sudaasingha (Royal College Colombo), Gihan Anjula (Hungama Wijeyaba NS), Nipun Chanthia Fernando (Maris Stella Negombo).
Officials:
M.C. M. Fernando (Manager), Channa Jayasekera (Head Coach), L.N.H.I. Fernando (Asst. Coach), Susirimangala Kumara (Trainer).
