Sri Lanka sends contingent of 51 for Asian Swimming and Waterpolo C'ships

By Leslie Fernando

SWIMMING: Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union has picked 39 swimmers and a men's waterpolo team of 12 players to participate at the 1st South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships to be held from September 3 to 8 at the Jinnah Sports Complex, Islamabad, Pakistan.

The championships is conducted by Pakistan Swimming Federation in conjunction with the South Asia Swimming Federation.

According to Samantha Wickremasinghe, Secretary, SLASU the swimmers and waterpolo players were selected after trials held at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool.

Lanka's swimmers will swim in the open men and women, boys and girls under-14 events along with swimmers from host Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Maldives. The usual events will be worked off in swimming, similar to the South Asian Games Swimming Championships, except in the boys and girls under-14 events.

The Sports Minister has approved the team and the officials for the trip to Pakistan.

The swimmers selected are: (Men): Dasun Perera (St. Joseph's College), Dilina Dissanayake (Trinity), Chanika Malimbada (Ananda), Diluka Thibbotumunuwe (Ananda), Heshan Unamboowe (Trinity), overall captain Gayan Samarakoon (Nalanda), C.B. Wickremasinghe (Trinity), E.M.K. Fernando (S. Thomas' College), Ashene Fernando (St. Joseph's College), Punhasa Senanayake (Ananda), Kushan de Silva (Rainbow Aquatic Club), K.V.S. Priyadarshana (Sri Lanka Air Force).

Women: Methma Jayawardana (Musaeus College), Hansani Weerathunga (Mahamaya College), Mihiri Kandanaarachchi (Mahamaya College), Udari Mendis (Gateway International College, Kandy), Miniruwani Samarakoon (Gateway International College, Kandy, Pravini Kuruppu (Lyceum International School), Mineka Karunaratne (Asian International School), Chamari Kudabalage (Hillwood College, Kandy).

Boys - Praneeth Udumalagala (St. Joseph's College), Tuan Nabeel Dole (St. Benedict's College), Pathum Edirisinghe (Ananda), L.O. Senaratne (Trinity), S.K. Wickramaratne (S. Thomas' College), Sashika Perera (St. Joseph's College), Kaushal Manawadu (St. Joseph's College), Uvindu H. Perera (Royal Institute), Isaac Prins (Rainbow AC).

Girls: Shehani Madiwaka (Ladies College), Shalini Rajakaruna (Hillwood College, Kandy), Dehara Katipearachchi (Musaeus College), Madhavee Weerathunga (Mahamaya College), Sunethra Wijeratne (Mahamaya College), Gihara Amarasinghe (Southland College), Amodya Perera (Sujatha Vidyalaya, Udara Cumarathunga (Visakha Vidyalaya), Nelum Uduwawala (Hillwood College).

Waterpolo - Rajitha Warnapura (MAS SC), will captain team.