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| Sunday, 11 May 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Netball coach Yasa Ramachandra says ... Foreign teams have tall girls, height can be a disadvantage to Sri Lanka by LESLIE FERNANDO Sri Lanka netball team for the World Cup Netball Championships in Jamaica from July 10 to 20 began their first training session under the National netball coach Yasa Ramachandra, a former Sri Lanka netball captain last Friday evening at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. The 12 netballers - Somitha de Alwis (Captain - Hatton National Bank), Gayathri Lankatilleke (HNB), Harshani Wijayalath (HNB), Sashika Samarasinghe (HNB), Damayanthi Jayatilleke (SLPA), Ratna Victoria (SLPA), P. D. N. Prasadi (SL Army), Arunika Karawitage (Ceylinco Sports Club), Anjana Kulari (Track Masters SC), Gisanthi Jayakody (Visakha Vidyalaya), Shani Nisansala (Colombo District NA), Sanduni Bollegala (Maliyadeva BV) picked after several trials seem to be in good shape and they are bound to strengthen their playing skills, tactics, combined team work, said Yasa. "I have nearly 60 days to train them and I will strive hard to make this squad my best team," added Yasa. Most of the players, except newcomer Sanduni Bollegala, have had lot of international experience playing in the Asian Cup, Commonwealth Games and the Junior Asian Cup. The players have the natural talent possess the basic skills, but now they must play as a unit. The positional play have to be improved, possession of the ball smartly and the players must also get involved in slick passing, sharp and accurate shooting, and strengthen defensive tactics to foil opponents' attack. Yasa added that her main worry is the height of the players. The other players at international level are taller, it will be somewhat of a disadvantage for the local girls who are somewhat shorter than the others. The coach is looking for men who have played competitive netball to play against the Sri Lanka team to enable them to be more aggressive. Yasa, who is attached to FTZ Sports Association Complex at Katunayake as the Sports Administration is a double international, having represented Sri Lanka in netball and volleyball. She has played netball and volleyball from 1968 to 1971. She also played for Colombo Municipal netball and volleyball teams with distinction. She has coached Sri Lanka netball teams in 1985, 1987, 1991 and 1997. Yasa is also an International netball umpire. She also coached Sri Lanka netball team which participated at the 2002 Commonwealth Games where Sri Lanka finished in 8th position. She was a top centre court player and has been selected 'Netball Queen' at several major local tournaments. The Lankan coach paid a glowing tribute to Tamara Dharmakeerthi Herath, the Interim Committee President of the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka for her dedication and the fine co-operation and assistance to the netballers. Tamara, who is also a double international, having represented the country in netball and hockey is always with the netballers, imparting her vast knowledge to them at all times. Tamara, in reply to question raised with regard to Sri Lanka netball team preparing for the World Netball Championships said that her main hope is that Sri Lanka netballers should come to top ten in the world ranking. It will be a great achievement. |
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