Fight for National Water Polo Crowns begins!

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14 Men’s teams & 5 Women’s teams have entered for this year’s National Water Polo Championship to be played on the 26th & 27th of October & 1st of November at Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex.

This is the 1st ever occasion such a large number of participants have been recorded at any local Water Polo Tournament. 

The National Water Polo Championship is organized by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) and the organizing committee has decided to go along with the latest FINA Water Polo rules which will also include the 30 second shot clock. SLASU has also decided to make this tournament and future National tournaments (Open level) a clubs only tournament, where only teams will be allowed to enter under a club but not as schools.  

Due to the increased popularity Water Polo has got in the recent past it has to be mentioned that currently there is a very well structured National Water Polo pool (both men & women) where early this month the Junior and Senior teams toured Singapore and successfully competed at the Junior & Senior Asian cups where a lot of positives were shown for the development of the future in the sport. The men’s junior team managed to beat the Philippines team with a score of 26-06 and the men’s senior team managed to draw level with world 36th ranked Philippines team with a score of 11-all. 

With this development and popularity it is not surprising to see some new and enthusiastic players and clubs nominating themselves and their team for the National Water Polo Championship. 

Men

This year Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has fielded 3 men’s teams and it can be said that SLN are one of the prime contenders for the crown.  SL Navy ‘A ‘is led by National vice-captain Yahan Samarajeewa and also includes the most number of National players in their team compared to other teams. Shehan Dassanayake, Savith Warnapura, Poorna Kankanige, Musharraf Uwais & Wasim Marikkabwa are some of the players to watch out for. All-star team of SL Navy will be looking for their 1st National crown after failed attempts in the last few years. SL Navy is coached by National Head Coach Malaka Chandradasa.

Former National Champions Old Thomians Swimming Club (OTSC) is another prime contender for this year’s National Championship. OTSC teams include of National Water Polo Captain Danushka De Seram and also have many former and current national players in their squad. OTSC also consists of this year’s Hayman winning team of STC. OTSC has fielded 2 teams for the Championship. Devshan De Mel, Dineth Francis & Shiven Wijerathnam are some of their leading names in the squad. OTSC & STC has 3 national championships among them. OTSC is coached by Former National Coach and Hayman winning coach Zafar Zainudeen

Royal College Union Aquatic Club has also fielded 2 teams for this year’s National Championship and RCUAC consist of this year Royal College Water Polo team. RCUAC team which includes of team Royal will definitely look to win the National Championship which will give them some relief at the end of the season. Captain Kanitha Munasinghe, Akila Weerasinghe, Uwais brothers, Waleed & Rifat are some of the players to watch out from Royal squad. Team Royal is the most successful team in the history of National Championship winning it on 6 occasions. RCUAC is coached by double international for Cricket & Water Polo, Jehan Mubarak. 

Another Former National Championship winning team Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has fielded 2 teams for the championship. SLAF who has performed well and also won the championship in 2011 will be looking to repeat their performance once again. SLAF will heavily rely on experience National campaigner S. J. S. Silva alies Poli Silva. SLAF is coached by National Assistant coach Ajantha Silva. 

Sri Lanka Police has also entered a team and it can be said this is their strongest team in the history of Sri Lanka Police Water Polo. Sri Lanka Police will be looking to upset the tournament favorites and make their mark in the Sri Lanka Water Polo arena. Sri Lanka police includes of Former National players such as Arshad Sathuk and Chanuka ‘BACA’ Perera and also includes the ranks of Chethana Munasinghe, Senitha Gunawardena and Kanishka Fernando. SL Police is coached by former Hayman Winning coach of Royal College, Aloka Prelis. 

SSC has entered 2 teams and mostly includes of school players from Ananda, Nalanda & DSSC. SSC will be looking to make use of this tournament as a learning curve and to target future tournaments. 

SL Army has also entered a team and will be looking to make a name for them at this tournament. 

Women 

Sri Lanka Navy will be the team to look out in the women’s segment as SLN team includes of countries top players. SLN is led by National Captain Hashini Warnapura and consists of players such as Charya Dharmadasa, Deethri Samarajeewa, Lukshani Rathnayake, Yoshini Liyanage & Charindee Weerasinghe. Once again just like their men’s team SLN women’s will be too looking for their 1st National crown after failed attempts in the last few years. 

OTSC for the first time has fielded a women’s and they have entered 3 teams as their teams consists of players from Visakha Vidyalaya & Bishops College. OTSC will be looking to win the crown on their very 1st attempt as these players bring years and years of experience with them. OTSC consists of Aneesah Fowzie, Soraya, Limashi Kosgodage, Thusari, Aneka & Shaleena are some of their national campaigners and players to watch out for.

3 times National Champions Sri Lanka Air Force has included a much balanced team looking to win the championship after 5 years. Former National players Galapatti and Kadinapullige will try take their team for glory. 

Draw for National Water Polo Championship 2013 

(Men) 

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D

OTSC ‘A’

SLAF ‘A’

SL Police ‘A’

SLN ‘A’

RCUAC ‘B’

SLN ‘B’

SL Army

RCUAC ‘A’

SSC ‘A’

SLN ‘C’

SLAF ‘B’

OTSC ‘B’

SL Police ‘B’

SSC ‘B’

Women (Round Robbin)

SLAF

SLN

OTSC- C

OTSC- A

OTSC- B