Beach volleyball: :

Lanka ranked No. 5

Bernard PERERA in Thailand

Sri Lanka `A’, Dhammika Silva and Pubudu Ekanayake took Sri Lanka beach volleyball to a another landmark when the islanders were ranked at No. 5 position in the Asian Region yesterday. Earlier, Sri Lanka was confront Kazakhstan to decide this slot, but as the latter team pulled out of the game due to an injury to one of its players, the organisers had to rank the Lankans ahead.

Within a short period of seven years Sri Lanka’s beach volleyballers achieved this success to win the accolades of everyone present here to witness the tournament.

With the third stage of the Asian Beach Volleyball tour due to commence in Samila Beach in Songkhla, the Lankans hope to improve further on their achievements with experience gained through the recently concluded two tourneys in Khano and Patthalung.

The `B’ team’s Wasantha Ratnapala and Mahesh Perera, who secured the eight position in Khanom tourney, too are hoping to make strong come backs to reach a higher level in Songkhla.

Dhammika Silva’s brilliant performances during the tourney has been the strong point for the Lankans. Though he performed well he has stills not recover from the injury he sustain in Khanom, but showed courage and dedication to bring good results for the country.

In the semi-finals worked off in the morning Australia’s Samuel and M. Christopher defeated the strong Chinese pair Bao Jian and Jin Weizai 2-1 (18-21, 21-17, 15-10) to enter the final which is scheduled to be played later in the evening.

The second semi-final between Indonesia and Thailand saw the Indonesian pair `A’ and `D’. Koko outplay the host teams S. Prathip and Y. Kittipat also by same margin 2-1 (21-19, 21-19).

Indonesia top ranked team here and the gold medallists at last years Asian Beach Games and Asian Champs will take on Australia in the final.

In the women’s category Thailand `B’ will meet China `A’ in the final. China `A’ defeated Thailand `A’ in the first semi-final while in the second semi-final Thailand `B’ overcame Australia in straights set to make their way to the final.