Table Tennis: Sri Lankan Juniors leave for ITTF World Circuit in Oman Junior

Sri Lanka Hopes, Junior and Cadet table tennis teams will leave for Oman today (23) to take part in the ITTF World Junior Circuit, Oman Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championship 2019.  

The championship will be held from Thursday (24) to Monday (28) at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex, Bowshar, Muscat with the participation of 17 countries. 

Former national player Buddhasiri Withanachchi functions as the manager cum coach and Ms. Siriyalatha functions as the lady chaperon for the team respectively.

The team manager is confident that Sri Lanka can compete equally with the world giants with exceptional performances as the team is well balanced with adequate experience and talent.

Kingswoodian Chandupa Alahakoon and Thanushi Rodrigo from Mahamaya, Kandy will lead the Sri Lanka boys’ and girls’ teams. 

The team comprises with one Sri Lanka national player Senura, four junior and cadet Srilankan caps Chandupa, Thanushi, Dewmith and Thisas. 

Also the Under-12 team is strengthen with one hopes Sri Lanka cap Dewmeth along with nine freshers.

The Under-18 and Under-15 Team, Under-18 and Under-15 and Under-12 Singles events will be carried out in the tournament during the five days. 

Sri Lankan players will have to face the world giants in order to move into the main draw of the tournament in each category. 

The Table Tennis Interim Committee Chairman Sajith Jayalal, who was behind the team from the beginning has told that championship, will provide the most required exposure for the young paddlers to climb the ladder in the world rankings as per the new ranking system introduced by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Junior Boys Under-18: Chandupa Alahakoon (Captain/Kingswood College, Kandy), Dewmith Weerasena (Lyceum International School, Nugegoda), Thisas Ranchagoda (Royal College, Colombo)

Junior Girls Under-18: Thanushi Rodrigo (Captain/Mahamaya Girls College, Kandy), Maneesha Shalindi (Karandeniya Central College)

Cadet Boys Under-15: Senura Silva (Ananda College), Danushka Wijesinghe (Kingswood College), Vihandu Randina (Dharmasoka, Ambalangoda), Aathif Rusthi (Royal College), Mahith Jayasumana (Lyceum International School, Gampaha), Vinuka Gunawardena (Royal College)

Cadet Girls Under-15: Minna Hassim (Ladies College)

Hopes Boys Under-12: Dawmeth Weerasena (Lyceum International School, Nugegoda), Kakeru Hennayake (Ananda College), Danuk Lamasuriya (Ananda College)
 
Hopes Girls Under-12: Tamadi Kavindya (Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda)

Team Manager/Coach: Buddhasiri Withanachchi

Lady Chaperon: O. Siriyalatha (Sri Devananda College, Ambalangoda)