The recently concluded Tennis Junior Nationals saw an unfamiliar name beside the Under 18 Singles title winner’s column. The name surprised the audience who attended the awards night at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association when they saw the prized silverware of the Junior Nationals taken by a young 14-year-old.

Sripali Weerakkody, not quite a household name, but if you’ve been a follower of the Sri Lankan Women’s Cricket team, no doubt you’ve seen her at work, leading Sri Lanka’s pace bowling attack. 

It has been a long while since the racket sport was introduced to the country by the British and Sri Lanka has taken considerable strides in the sport reaching the international sphere gradually. Despite the introduction in the British era, Tennis hit an all time low in the country when, in the early 2000’s, the country hit a rough patch in the sport.

We often look at great personalities in World sport for inspiration. We remember the big names and applaud their feats, their astounding achievements leaving lasting impressions in our lives. While we are busy recollecting the greats in and around Europe and the West, we can forget those living closest to us. Mirza is one such. 

Eighteen year old Ravindu Laksiri made himself and the nation proud when he won the Plate title of the Asian Squash Championship few weeks back setting a new height in sport.

‘I never thought I would become a swimmer in my life. My mother forced me to go for swimming practices in school. Now I am here, thanks to my mother. Hoping achieve a lot more.’ were Jaffer’s opening lines to ThePapare.com as we sat down to discuss his latest triumphs.

“It was gloomy evening in May 1997 at the Jayasikuru camp. Private Upali who just passed out of the Military College representing the Sinha regiment with flying colours got his first assignment to Jayasikuru.

With the Netball world Cup looming in the horizon, ThePapare.com sat down to speak to newly appointed coach Deepthi Alwis at the final trials for the World Cup conducted in the Sugathadasa Stadium on the 27th of May. 

One week after ThePapare.com met with the national champion Gayan Sandaruwan; we sat with younger brother Shanuka Sanduruwan as he shared the story on how his bother inspired him in taking on the sport.

Winning the national championship for nine times and out of it winning it consecutively for six long years Gayan Sandruwan is the crown-prince of the motorcycle racing fraternity. ThePapare.com sat-in  with this gentlemen to share the story how he controls power beyond reality.