Sri Lanka expect many medals in swimming

by Leslie Fernando

Swimming is the field which can win more medals for Sri Lanka at the 10th South Asian Games to be held from August 19 to 25 at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool. Most of Sri Lanka's medals so far have come from swimming in the South Asian Games held so far.

Ajit de Soysa, the media co-ordinator Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union said that 27-member swimming squad, 14 men and 13 women picked by the national selectors, Azim Azain (Chairman), Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Arun Gamlath, Jeevaka Perera, Ms. Samitha Perera was sumitted to the Sports Ministry and the names were approved.

Ruwan Manawadu, national coach said that the swimmers have begun training under the Australian coach Dragan Popadic assisted by him together with Mahesh Karunaratne, E. G. A. Wilson and U. H. Premlath at the Police Swimming pool at Narahenpita in the mornings and in the evenings at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool.

Former star swimmer Julian Bolling is the Director of coaching. He is also assisting in a big way.

The swimmers in training are:

Men: Darshaka Tennakoon (AASL), Kushan de Silva (Gateway International School, Yahan Samarajeewa, Althaf Yakoob (both from Royal), K. V. S. Priyadharshana (SL Air Force), Nilmin Arcecularatne, Ashene Fernando, Milinda Wickremasinghe (all of St. Joseph's College), Dilina Dissanayaka, Heshan Unamboowe, Chethya Wijeratne (all of Trinity, Govinda Tidball, Daniel Lee (both of Rainbow AC), Chanaka Malimbada (Ananda). Women: Prabha Madhavi Dharmadasa (AIS), Devinka Gunathilaka (Bishop's College), Miniruwani Samarakoon (Gateway IS, Kandy), Chamari Kudabalage (Hillwood College, Kandy), Chathuri Abeykoon (Ladies College), Hansani Weerathunga, Sunethra Wijeratne (both Mahamaya College, Kandy), Mayumi Raheem (Otter AC), Imara Fahim (Rainbow AC), Piyumi Ekanayake (Sirimavo Bandaranaike BV), Meneka Karunaratne (AIS), Thisuri Madara (Ladies College), Madhavi Weerathunga (Mahamaya College).

Coach Manawadu added that the swimmers are following a strict schedule with a view of keeping themselves in shape for the Games. The swimmers also pay special attention to fitness, skills, techniques and tactics, because competitive swimming at international level demands hardwork and guts, where one has to put behind setbacks and focus on events yet to be completed.

According to coach Manawadu Sri Lanka have several swimmers with lot of international experience in Mayumi Raheem presently training in Singapore, Daniel Lee training in Australia (both granted permission from SLASU), Prabha Madhavi Dharmadasa, Chathuri Abeykoon, Miniruwani Samarakoon, Nilmin Arsecularatne, Milinda Wickremasinghe, Heshan Unamboowe, Govinda Tidball, Darshaka Tennakoon.

Main hopes will be on Raheem who swam at the Commonwealth Games, in Australia and at the FINA World Swimming Championships in China. She established five Sri Lanka records in China and three new Sri Lanka records in Australia.

Meanwhile Lee who swam in China set three Sri Lanka records. He also have performed exceptionally well in Australian State meets. Both proved their class at the SA Games trials held last month. Raheem and Lee should perform well at the Games as both have shown a lot of promise.

Then there is Heshan Unamboowe who won a gold, silver and bronze at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships in Thailand.

Another star swimmer is Miniruwani Samarakoon winner of two bronze at the age of 12 years at the 2004 SAF Games held in Pakistan are expected to achieve success.

Both Unamboowe and Samarakoon also have won gold medals setting new records at the Chennai-Sri Lanka dual meets.

Dharmadasa, Abeykoon, Arsecularatne, Wickremasinghe, Tennakoon also have won gold medals at the Chennai-Sri Lanka dual meets. All of them have had lot of experience swimming at several Asian Age Group swimming championships abroad.

Julian Bolling said that there are many newcomers and their dedication is amazing. We expect at least eight gold medals. There are girls who can win silver and bronze medals. Our main opponent will be India. We should target the first place in either men or women. However, the standard of swimming in India is very high and our swimmers should be helped in every possible way to achieve their goal.

There will be 18 events including the two relays. Each country can field two swimmers for 8 events and one swimmer for other 8 events.

At the 9th edition of the Games held in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2004, our swimmers won 2 gold, 5 silver and 11 bronze. Conrad Francis who is presently training in Australia but left out of the squad, won 2 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals in Pakistan. He also established a new Games record in the 50 metres butterfly stroke in Pakistan.

The former ace swimmer Bolling has won the most number of gold medals for Sri Lanka in the South Asian Games at Nepal in 1984, 1985 in Bangladesh 1987 in Calcutta 1989 in Pakistan and 1991 in Colombo.

At the 5th SAF Games held in Colombo, Julian Bolling and Deepika Chanmugam another elite swimmer, did Sri Lanka proud winning 13 gold medals between them. Julian won 7 gold while Deepika won 6 gold medals. Julian and Deepika were awarded special prizes from the SAF Games Organising Committee for their excellent performances.

The other top swimmers who have excelled for Sri Lanka in the earlier SAF Games were; Conrad Francis (St. Joseph's College), Ghefari Dulapandan (S. Thomas' College), Marlon S. Delano (St. Joseph's College), Tivanka de Alwis (Royal), Vijitha Abeywardena (Ananda), Nishantha de Costa and Sean Lee (both of St. Joseph's College), Natasha Kodituwakku (St. Bridget's Convent), Upeksha Silva (CIS), Shehani Gunasena (Bishop's College), Theekshana Ratnasekera (Musaeus College).