Seven from Sri Lanka for YOG Games

by Leslie Fernando

CRICKET: The fourteen-member Sri Lanka contingent comprising seven competitors and seven officials will leave on August 12 to participate in the first-ever Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held from August 14 to 26 at the National Stadium in Singapore.

The team finalised for the YOG a few days ago by the Olympic Committee headed by Chef de Mission, Nishanthe Piyasena who is the Assistant Secretary of NOC and also the Vice-President of the Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka.

The following will represent Sri Lanka in four disciplines: Athletics, swimming, table tennis and badminton. Hasintha Shashirange (Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda), Indunil Herath (Walala Central, Manikhinna), Heshan Unamboowe (Trinity College), Madhavee Weeratunga (Mahamaya College), Nuvani Navodaya (Dharmasoka College), Lekha Shehani (Convent of Lady of Victories, Moratuwa), Dilshan Kariyawasam (Ananda College).

The officials are: Nishanthe Piyasena (Chef de Mission), Ms. Dilmini Direckze (Lady Chaperon), Coaches - Jagath Rajapakse, Chathura de Silva, Premlath Uyanhewa, Shamal Aponso, Masseur - Donald Wijegunewardena. The Sri Lanka’s ‘star’ swimmer, Heshan Unamboowe who has swum at most number of international meets and who has won more medals will be the overall captain.

Of the seven selected for the YOG, for competitors - Heshan Unamboowe and Madhavee Weeratunga are presently training in Australia under NOG scholarship while the two table tennis players, Nuvani Navodaya and Hasintha Shashirange on NOC scholarship training in Hungary.

Over 8,000 sportsmen and women from 205 countries will participate at the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. Altogether 26 disciplines will be worked off and Sri Lanka will be seen in swimming, athletics, table tennis and badminton.