Lankan lasses out there with mission to accomplish
The Sri Lanka netballers with the coach after a training session Sri Lanka Team: Chathurangi Jayasuriya (Captain), Dharshika Abeywickrema (Vice captain), Gayani Dissanayake, Tharjani Sivalingam, Sureka Kumari, Thilini Waththegedara, Gayanjali Amarawansha, Nawchali Rajapaksha, Dulangi Wannithilaka, Dulanga Dhananji, Hasitha Mendis, Eliyanthini Sethukawalan,
Sri Lanka will travel to Singapore this week hoping to win their first title in nine years at the Asian Netball Championships which will be worked off at the OCBC Arena at the Singapore Sports Hub from September 3-9. The team will leave on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka last won the Asian title back in 2009 when they defeated Singapore but since they have struggled to clear the last hurdle, becoming the losing finalists in the last three editions.
Sri Lanka will have a easy passage to the next round, this time around with Chinese Taipei and India as their first round opponents but whether they could break the jinx to win the title remains to be seen.
At the end of the first round, the top two in each four groups will qualify for the second round where the top four will qualify for the semi-finals. Sri Lanka will meet Chinese Taipei in their opening match on September 1 while their next match will be against India on September 2. Sri Lanka compete in group B.
Defending champions Malaysia, Japan and Maldives compete in group A while group C includes Singapore, Brunei and Pakistan. Hong Kong, Thailand and Philippine will battle it out in group C.
The 12-member Sri Lanka team is captained by Chathurangani Jayasuriya –an experienced campaigner while Darshika Abeywickrema will deputized. However, senior players in the caliber of Ruvini Yatigammana, Shamalee Ratnayake and Rasuri Wijesundara who were part of the recent tour to Malavi did not make the cut.
The team is coached by Thilaka Jinadasa — a former Sri Lanka double international who oversaw team’s successful campaign at the 2009 edition. Thanuja Dissanayake will be the manager while Dr. Lal Ekanayake will be the Chef-de-mission and the team doctor. Trixi Nanayakkara, the President of the Netball Federation will also travel with the team to attend the Asian Council Meeting which will be held concurrently.