The upcoming Sri Lankan Squash Prodigy-Mihiliya Methsarani
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- Category: squash
- Published on Sunday, 13 November 2011 16:35
- Written by Eranga Alwis
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The game of Squash which had being in existence for quite some time in Sri Lanka has come a long way to where it stands now thanks to the efforts made by a lot of squash enthusiasts and of course the players themselves. As this sport has not reached the professional level like cricket or rugby in this country due to lack of proper facilities, sponsorships and proper guidance by the relevant authorities the rising and diminishing of young stars has being a common scenario. With all these difficulties only a determined few take up the challenge to continue the sport for the passion of this lovely game.
Mihiliya Methsarani is one of those new found talent, who has already made her mark and could make a huge difference in the Asian Squash arena in the future. This young bud got what it takes to be on top and keep the Lion Flag flying high if she is given a chance to make use of her full potent.13 year old Mihiliya who hails from Panadura currently studies at Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya and has excelled in both sports and studies.
Mihiliya started playing squash in the year 2005 and had improved immensely over the past few years. This year she went on to grab the girls U-15 plate championship at the Asian Junior Squash Championships held in Jordan and is currently ranked #17 in the Asian Region in the under 15 girls age group She was also placed 4th in the Girls U-15 age group at the Indian Junior Open Squash Championships held in 2011.Mihiliya has also participated in the All Star Milo International Squash Championships from the year 2007 to 2011 and was able to qualify for the semi finals in the Girls U-15 Special Plate event this year.
This 13 year old girl had already showed her class to all her local opponents as she paved her way into the junior national team to represent Sri Lanka at the Asian Junior Squash Team Championships where the Sri Lankan team was placed 7th .Mihiliya was also a member of the winning team at the All Island Inter School Squash Team Championships and had the honor of finishing things off for Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya when she beat Naduni Gunawardena of Visaka Vidyalaya to take her team to a comfortable 3-0 victory. She also did well at the recently concluded Sri Lanka Junior National Squash Championships where she went on to take both the GirlsU-15and U-17 titles under her name and also the prestigious Noel Fernando Challenge Shield for the most improved and best performance by a junior girls squash player for the year 2011.
She is also seeded no 4 in the girls’u-15 category for the KL Open Squash Championship to be held in Malaysia this December and this tournament will provide her an opportunity to prove her class to the rest of the Asians.
It is always interesting to see Mihiliya play as she possesses a powerful shot selection and her agility makes her even a better player. Her armory consists of killer drop shots and cross court volleys which would either hit the nick or die in the frontcourt most of the time, Her powerful tight down the line and cross court shots also help her score which would hit the front wall a few inches above the tin and would still travel the distance to die away in the back court.
Speaking to The Papare Mihiliya said that her dream is to win both Junior and Senior National Squash Championships and also to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games for her country and keep the Lion Flag flying high. She also thanked her parents Mr Swarna Kumarajeewa and Mrs Kinkini Thanapathy for the immense support provided by them in order to achieve greater heights in the game of Squash. She was also grateful to her main coach Mrs Yazmin Zarook and her school coach Mr Chandana as they had being pillars of strength to her providing all the guidance and showing her the way forward. Mihiliya specially thanked Mr Amanda Weerasinghe and Mr Kalipa Gunasekara for the assistance and help provided in continuing the sport and her sponsors of rackets and equipment ‘Dunlop’ for all the help rendered.
Mihiliya has already proven to be a tough determined player with a long way forward. But a lot has to be done to groom and nurture her into a real champion which requires a lot of time and support. In order to polish her skills she will have to gain International match exposure by participating in various Ranking International Squash Championships. Participation in these International Tournaments is essential as she needs to maintain her ranking and climb up the ranking ladder steadily in order to make a huge impact in the years to come. She will also have to participate in quality training programs and maintain her fitness to be on top. To fulfill all these requirements she will need a lot of financial assistance and a generous Sponsor will have to take care of her financial needs.
The Papare wishes Mihiliya all the best in her future endeavors and invite any generous sponsor to come and help her fulfill her dreams and bring glory to her motherland.
Mihiliya’s achievements are as follows
INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS (SQUASH)
1. 3rd Indian Junior Open - 2011
Girls under 15 – 4th Place
2. 18th Asian Junior individual squash championship – 2011
Girls under 15 – Plate Champion
3. Milo All Star International Junior Squash Tournament – 2011
Girls under 15 – Special Plate Semi Finalist
4. Asian Junior team squash championship – 2011
Member of a Sri Lanka Girls Team -
5. 3rd Asian junior individual squash tournament – 2010
Girls under 15 - Classic plate – Quarter Finalist
6. Milo all start international junior squash tournament – 2010
Girls under 15 - Classic plate – Semi Finalist
7. Milo all start international junior squash tournament – 2008
Girls under 11 - Main draw – 8th Place
8. Milo all start international junior squash tournament – 2007
Girls under 11 – Special plate – Runner-up
NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS (SQUASH)
1. Junior national squash championship – 2011
Most improved and best performance of the year (Girl)
Noel Fernando Challenge Trophy
2. Junior national squash championship – 2011
Girls under 17 - Winner
Girls under 15 - Winner
3. All island inter school championship – 2011
Girls under 15 - Winner
Member of team – Winner
4. All island inter school championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
Member of team – Second Runner-up
5. All island junior inter school championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
6. Junior national squash championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
Girls under 15 - Runner-up
7. Junior national squash championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
8. All island junior inter school championship – 2009
Girls under 11 - Winner
9. All island junior inter school championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
Member of a team – First Runner-up
10. All island inter school championship – 2008
Girls under 13 - Runner-up
Member of a team –Runner-up
11. Junior national squash championship – 2008
Girls under 11 - Winner
Girls under 13 – 3rd Place
12. All island inter school squash championship – 2007
Girls under 11 – Winner
13. 18th junior national squash championship – 2007
Girls under 11 – Winner
14. All island inter school junior squash championship – 2006
Girls under 9 – Winner
15. All island inter school squash championship – 2006
Girls under 9 – Winner
16. Junior national squash championship – 2006
Girls under 9 - Winner
Girls under 11– Runner-up
OPEN TOURNAMENTS (SQUASH)
01 SLSF open squash championship – 2011
Girls under 19 – 3rd Place
Girls under 15 – Winner
02 Otter open squash championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
Girls under 15 – Runner-up
03 Janashakthi open squash championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
Girls under 15 – Winner
04 Air Force open squash championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
Girls under 15 – Winner
05 James Finlay's Juvenile squash championship – 2010
Girls under 15 - Winner
06 Sunquick open squash championship – 2010
Girls under 13 - Winner
Girls under 15 – Runner-up
07 SSC open squash championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
Girls under 15 – 3rd Winner
08 Air Force open squash championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
09 Janashakthi open squash championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
10 Roral open squash championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
11 Air Force open squash championship – 2009
Girls under 13 - Winner
12 Janashakthi open squash championship – 2008
Girls under 11 - Winner
Girls under 13 – 3rd Winner
13 Gymkhana open squash championship – 2008
Girls under 11 - Winner
Girls under 13 – Runner-up
14 Otter open squash championship – 2008
Girls under 11 - Winner
Girls under 13 – Runner-up
15 SSC open squash championship – 2007
Girls under 11 - Winner
16 Fingara open squash championship – 2007
Girls under 11 - Winner
17 SSC open squash championship – 2007
Girls under 9 - Winner
Girls under 11 – 3rd Place
18 Janashakthi open squash championship – 2006
Girls under 9 - Winner
19 Amaya Hills open squash championship – 2006
Girls under 9 - Winner
Girls under 11 – Runner-up
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