Sri Lanka waterpolo team for Asia - Pacific tourney

By Leslie Fernando

WATERPOLO: Sri Lanka national waterpolo team will participate in the 6th Asia-Pacific Waterpolo Tournament conducted by the Asian Swimming Federation and hosted by the Hong Kong Aquatic Sports Union from August 1 to 3 at the Kawloon Park, Indoor Sports Complex in Hong Kong.

According to Mahinda Liyanage, former Royal and Sri Lanka swimmer, diver and waterpolo player, the 14-member team will leave on Tuesday, July 29. The side was selected after a series of trials held at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool.

The selectors Mike Anthonis (Chairman), Gavin Amerasinghe, Asanga Warusavitharana, Dilan Vithana and Samitha Perera also considered the players performances at the 1st South Asia Swimming and Waterpolo Championships held in Pakistan last year. Sri Lanka won the silver medal defeating Pakistan in Islamabad.

Players from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will play in this tournament. For local players, it will be a good exposure as Sri Lanka waterpolo team is billed to compete at the Bali Games to be staged in Indonesia in October.

The 14 member team on their return from Hong Kong will begin training with the other 26 players in preparation for the October tournament.

The team and officials: Rajitha Warnapura (Old Thomians Swimming Club - captain), Zaman Ali Yakoo (MAS), Dhanushka Saram (MAS), Lashitha Perera (MAS), S. Wijeratnam (OTSC), Sanjeewa Abeysinghe (ROVAC), Y. Ranaraja (OTSC), H. M. S. P. K. Herath (Sri Lanka Air Force), Shakthi Warnapura (OTSC), S. J. Silva (Sri Lanka Air Force), Darith de Silva (S. Thomas’ College), Yahan Samarajeewa (Royal), B. A. C. A. Perera (S. Thomas’ College), A. de Alwis (S. Thomas’ College). P. S. P. Dayananda (Manager), Fareed Noor Ameen (Coach), Pradeep Nishantha Perera (Assistant Coach), H. A. Jayantha (Technical Official).