Lankan netballers clinch South Asian Under 16 title

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Sri Lanka Netball team emerged champions at the inaugural South Asian under 16 Netball Championship concluded yesterday at the Army Sports Complex in Kathmandu, Nepal . In the final Sri Lankan team led by Nethmi Wijenayake defeated India 42/28 to take the South Asian crown .

In the final Sri Lankan team played with more confidence from the first quarter . In the first quarter both teams scored 8 points each but second and third quarters Sri Lankan team dominated with a clear lead of 16/4 and 11/8 . However Indians won the final quarter after a tough game 8/7 but that was not enough to get the championship in the inaugural tournament and Sri Lanka recorded a comprehensive victory by 42/28

Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan , Bangladesh, Maldives and hosts Nepal took part in this tournament organised by the Nepal Netball Association. Sri Lanka team coach Amalka Gunatilleka said this was a fine team effort by the Sri Lanka side. We had good confidence before this tournament to win the title. We were able to get good practice sessions and all players did their part very well thoughtout the tournament . Actually this was a good exposure for the juniors and they are our future prospects said coach Amalka Gunatilleka who is the head coach of Holy Family Convent Kurunegala which has produced top players in the school arena over the past couple of decades. The champion team comprised three players from HFC Kurunegala, as well as two each from Musaeus College and Kalutara Balika as well as HFC Kalutara and one each from Girls High School Kandy and Presbyterian Girls school Dehiwela.

Best shooter -Hiruni Heshani, Best player – Nethmi Wijenayaka, Player of the final- Hiruni Jinali.

The champion Sri Lanka under 16 team

Nethmi Wijenayake ( Captain )(Musaeus College)Hiruni Heshani (Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala) Hiruni Jinali(Maliyadeva Balika Vidyalaya, Kurunegala) Maheesha Bandara (Girls High School, Kandy) Rishini Sewwandi (Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala) Randuli Rubasinghe (Musaeus College) Rashmi Anjalika (Presbyterian Girls’ School, Dehiwala) Ramdhi Gamage (Holy Family Convent, Kalutara) Krishmi Dinethya(Holy Family Convent, Kalutara – Senuthi Dilakna(Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya)Dishari Adeesha(Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya)– Natasha Dias(Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala) Amalka Gunatilleka (coach) (DN)