Chameera and Ishara emerge winners
Ishara and Chameera with their titles
Favourites Chameera Ginige of Sri Jayewardenepura University and Ishara Madurangi of Sri Lanka Ports Authority annexed the Dhanasiri Amaratunga Challenge Trophy after claiming the Men’s and Women’s titles respectively at the
Chameera Ginige, became the only paddler of the tournament to play three crucial matches of full fice sets, but as in the semi-final and quarter-finals, he nailed the deal to beat young Senura Silva 3-2. After a tough battle Chameera lifted the title with scores of 7/11, 11/9, 11/5, 9/11 and 11/8.
In the Women’s final Ishara Madurangi faced a tough challenge from Muthumali Priyadarshani, but she managed to finish off the game in three sets. The game ended with scores of 11/6, 11/9 and 11/7.
In the Men’s semi-finals, Chameera Ginige had to put up a tough fight to beat KrishanWickramaratne in a match that went down to the wire. Chameera recorded a 3-2 win with scores of 11/8, 3/11, 11/7, 10/12 and 11/7 while in another tough affair Senura Silva overcame Supun Warasuwithana 3-1 with scores of 11/7, 11/9, 10/12 and 12/10.
In the quarter-finals, Krishan Wickramaratne of VOBSC beat Imandtha Udanjaya of Sri Lanka Army in straight sets 11/5,11/7 and 11/5, while Chameera Ginige of University of Sri Jayewardenepura had a tough outing against Prasad de Silva of Road Development Authority before nailing a 3-2 finish. The match ended with set scores of 5/11, 8/11, 11/9, 11/4 and 11/9. Supun Warasuwithana of University of Moratuwa beat Chanul Dulsen of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda 3-1 with scores of 11/5, 11/6, 5/11 and 12/10, while aspiring paddler Senura Silva of Ananda College beat Milinda Lakshitha of OMBC 3-1 with scores of 10/12, 11/5, 11/8 and 11/9.
In the semi-finals of Women’s event saw Ishara Madurangi recording an easy win against Erandi Warusavithana with set scores of 11/1, 11/3 and 11/4, while Muthumali Priyadarshani overcame Hansani Piyumala 3-1 after a close challenge. The scores were 11/8, 11/13, 11/5 and 11/5.
In the Women’s category quarter-finals, Ishara Madurangi of Sri Lanka Ports Authority beat Ayla Chitty of Ladies College, Colombo 3-1. The sets finished as 11/8, 7/11, 11/9 and 11/6 in favour of the national champion. Erandi Warusavithana representing Raigam Marketing beat Bimandi Bandara of Hilwood College, Kandy, against by 3-1 with set scores of 11/8, 4/11, 11/8 and 11/7. Hansani Piyumala, now representing Sri Lanka Navy overcame Jithara Warnakulasuriya of Ladies’ College in similar fashion 3-1 with scores of 4/11, 11/7, 11/9 and 11/2. Muthumali Priyadarshani of Sri Lanka Navy had an easy passage to the next level, beating Thanushi Rodrigo in straight sets –11/6, 11/7 and 11/9.
The finals were contested for the Dhanasiri Amarathunga Challenge Trophy, the former Mayor of Dehiwala/Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council.
The Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTSL) conducted its second All-Island Ranking Tournament for the 2020 calendar that was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organised by the Western Province Table Tennis association (WPTTA), the championship attracted 170 competitors consisting of 100 male and 70 female players.
Originally planned to host both Under-18 and Under-15 Boys and Girls categories in addition to the Open Men’s and Women’s events, the tournament organisers could not go ahead with the events as planned and had to postpone them owing to the massive number of entries received and due to restriction posed by the Public Health Inspector on the number of players occupying the hall at any given time. Both these events will be worked off at a later date after the situation is assessed and approved by the area Public Health Inspector. The venue organisers S. Thomas’ College Indoor Stadium along with the WPTTA followed all safety protocols prior to permitting players only to enter the venue.
In the Women’s Open category, 54 players competed in the qualifying rounds, where 16 paddlers advanced to play in the main draw and compete against the 16 national ranked players. In the Men’s Open category, 84 players competed in the qualifying rounds and 16 qualified to play in the main event playoff with the 16 national ranked players.
All matches were evenly contested by the players, who had previously had match exposure two weeks back at the championships held in Kegalle.
All players who reached quarter-final stage received certificates. The chief guest at the awards ceremony was Nilushi Theodore, the Brand Executive of Raigam Marketing Services, who gave away gift packs to the winners. The finalists received the champion and runner-up trophies from the General Secretary of the TTASL, Srinath Wijethunga. Cash awards were gifted by Anura Lal, the Managing Director of Githmi Sports, Ambalangoda.
The champions and runners-up receiving their awards from Srinath Wijethunga (General Secretary of the TTASL), Nilushi Theodore (Brand Executive, Raigam Marketing Services), Madushani Perera (VP TTASL) and Chandana Perera (Secretary Western Province TTA).