Lanka cagers out to defend SABA title
Clinton Stallon (in red) has been assigned to lead Sri Lanka at SABA 2021
A talented and youthful Sri Lanka basketball team, led by Clinton Stallone Thevakumar, left for Dhaka, Bangladesh on Friday, with the intention of defending their title at the upcoming South Asian Basketball Association (SABA) Championship.
The team has been preparing for the regional championship during the past month, under a bio security bubble to master themselves for the competition, which begins tomorrow. Alongside the current title holders, Sri Lanka, India, host Bangladesh, Maldives, Bhutan and Nepal will be in contention.
“Our only threat will be India, who had won the SABA title on five occasions. Our team is young, but strong. We are confident of coming out victorious and that we will be able to defend the title with these bunch of guys,” stated Chandana Liyanage, the General Secretary of Sri Lanka Basketball Federation (SLBF), at a press conference held on Wednesday.
Sri Lanka will tour with a squad of 12 players and three standbys as SLBF has picked the perfect combination to represent the country at the regional competition, which will run from November 15 to 20.
“The team has gone through intense preparation for an extended period and the players have a very good understanding among themselves. Ours’ is the best combination if we consider about talents and physiques,” Liyanage added.
The SABA Championship was inaugurated in 2002 in Assam, India, where the hosts emerged victorious with Bangladesh taking the runners-up title. The competition was withheld until 2013, when it was revived. Since then the regional tournament has been taking place annually, but the last it was held was in 2018, where Sri Lanka earned the title, beating hosts Bangladesh. It was not held during the past two years due to the pandemic.
The Sri Lanka men’s basketball team with the officials after their final training session - Pic courtesy Thusith Wijedoru NOC
Sri Lanka was placed third in 2014 and emerged runners-up to India in 2015, before claiming the title at the last occasion it was held. Several players from the team that won the title three years back, have been retained in the team, including skipper Stallone of Sri Lanka Navy. Two schoolboys — Yogananthan Simron and Shehan Fernando — will make their national debuts.
The winner and runners-up will automatically qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup, to be held in 2025.
The team is sponsored by Velona and Vaaj jointly and MAS has come aboard as the clothing partner.
Sri Lanka team: Clinton Stallone Thevakumar (Captain), Rukshan Athapaththu (VC), Gayan de Croos, Thimothi Nithushan, Praneeth Udumalagala, Chanuka Fernando, Arnold Brent Thevakumar, Udayanga Perera, Dasun Nilantha Mendis, Pawan Gamage, Nimesh Fernando, Asanka Mahesh Rajakaruna
Standbys: Sasindu Gajanayake, Yoganathan Simron, Shehan Fernando
Officials: Susil Udukumburage (Head Coach), Ranura Nanayakkara (Coach), Duminda de Silva (Trainer), Manoj Dharshana (Masseur), Aelian Gunawardene (Chef de Mission), Gayan Buddhika Kahingala (FIBA Referee)