Senura and Bimandi remain unbeaten after two trials
Senura Silva
Senura Silva and Bimandi Bandara remained unbeaten after two trials conducted by the Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka (TTASL) to select the teams that will represent the country at the Asian Championship to be held in Doha, Qatar during September 29 and October 9.
Senura, of Ananda College won all his matches in the Men’s division while Bimandi of Hillwood College, Kandy, too impressed by claiming wins in all matches took part in the Women’s division. Both, Senura and Bimandee, are recipient of the Crysbro sponsorship arranged by the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka. Both players are yet to complete their Ordinary Level examination and they are rated as prominent paddlers who could bring glory to Sri Lanka in the table tennis arena.
Seven players took part in the Men’s division trials, after Nirmala Jayasinghe of MAS pulled out from the second trial due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the first trial. Alongside Senura, Chameera Ginige, Milinda Lakshitha, Imantha Udanjaya, Nimesh Ranchagoda, Chanul Dulsen and Chandupa Alahakoon competed in the Men’s division trial. In the Women’s division besides unbeaten Bimandi, Ishara Madurangi, Hansani Piumila, Thanushi Rodrigo, Ayla Chitty, Muthumali Priyadarshani, Jithara Warnakulasuriya
and Chameesha Thushadi
competed.
Bimandi Bandara
The second trial was conducted at S. Thomas’ College Indoor Stadium in Mt. Lavinia. From the current Men’s and Women’s ranking list, eight players each were called for two trials with all players having to play each other in best of five sets on both dates.
“The host country of the Asian Championship has stipulated many health protocols that the players would have to endure and will need to get prepared for these requirements whilst engaging in training. There is a mandatory quarantine period of two days in Qatar for all players on arrival. It is only after clearing the PCR tests that the players will be permitted to leave the quarantine hotel and start training prior to the competition.
This tournament will be a testing period for all players who will have to stay within their playing bubble and try to maintain all the safety protocols of the host nation,” issuing a media statement, TTASL stated.
The TTASL decided to conclude the trials by end of July, as it did not wish to prolong the trials further as in case there is another lockdown, the players will not be able to be selected and will not be able to represent the country at upcoming international championships. As such, the TTASL conducted the on July 28 and 31.
| Results of Trial 2 | |
Men’s division:
Women’s division:
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