Training goes on in Kabaddi despite difficulties

Although there are administrative difficulties at the Kabaddi Federation of Sri Lanka, the training of the national poolist for the South Asian Games continues at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium (men) and National Youth Services Council at Maharagama (women) said Thusara Muthugala, Manager appointed by the Interim Committee of the Kabaddi Federation of Sri Lanka.

The trials for the 24-member training pool were held in April and June. The final team was selected this month. Prior to the selection trial, Kabaddi National Club Championships were held at the Mahiyangan grounds. Then 50 players, both men and women were named and they trained at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and at NYSC.

Muthugala said that Asian Kabaddi Federation is ready to help our players in coaching and arranging three matches, if the Kabaddi Federation of Sri Lanka is willing to send the 24-member team to India. Muthugala said that the Interim Committee has written to the Sports Ministry to grant funds to enable the team to go to India. "I think this tour will benefit our players before the games. New mattresses and clothing have been received through the Sports Ministry.

Lakshman Seneviratne is in charge of training the men's players while Winsara Janapriya is the women's team coach. Anura Wijesinghe, Ranjith Asoka are assisting the men's team while Sanath Samarawickrema and Lakmini Samarasinghe are the woman's team assistant coaches.

Five countries - Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh will play in the men's tournament. In the women's tournament, Pakistan will not field a team.

The matches will be played on a league basis for both men and women. The first two teams in both sections will battle-it-out in the finals.

India dominated in both the men's and women's tournaments in 2004 SAF Games held in Pakistan winning the Gold.

According to Sri Lanka team manager Muthugala, Sri Lanka is expected to win a silver in the men's and a bronze in the women's tourney.

Men's team will be captained by Indika Sanath Kumar. The other players are: Anil Hemantha Kumara, Nuwn Bandara, Ramya Kumara, A.L.M. Nishwan, Wasantha Kumara, Chandana Prasad, Ravindra Silva, Anura Kumara, Wimal Rohana, G.M.D. Pathmakumara, Chaminda Perera.

Women's team: Inoka Sanjeevani Weerasinghe (Capt.), Nilusha Dilhani, Samagi Perera, Achala Jayasundara, Dilini Dilhara, Dhanushka Jeewanthi, Niluka Lakmini, Chamila Perera, K.V. Premawathi, Shiromi Sugathapala, Kumari Bandara, Deepika Sanjeewani Ratnayake.