The Sri Lanka Youth Netball team left for the 9th Asian Youth Netball Championships in Hong Kong early Friday morning.
On the eve of their departure both Coach Tamara Liyanage and Skipper Gayani Dissanayake expressed confidence in the young team.
Speaking exclusively to ThePapare.com on their preparation, Dissanayake had this to say,
“We played some practice matches against top teams in the country like Western Province, Southern Province, Sampath Bank, Navy. So considering our performances and what we’ve heard from senior players who watched, I think our team is performing at a very satisfactory level.”
The current 12 member squad has been training together since September and, according to Skipper Dissanayake, is ready and raring to go against the other top teams in Asian Netball.
By all accounts the team has been given a well-rounded training, focusing primarily on mental and physical fitness.
“We focused a lot on fitness in our training because it is an essential aspect of the game”
Dissanayake said. She added that the team had also attended quite a few motivational programs during their down time in order that the players all aged under 21, would be mentally fit for the challenges ahead of them.
What would boost Sri Lanka’s chances further is the fact that the squad consists of several players who have represented Sri Lanka in the past. In fact three of them: Captain Dissanayake and Vice-Captain Thisala Algama and Gayanjali Amarawansa took part in the Netball World Cup in August.
“Their international experience has helped the other players, particularly Gayani and Thisala who have represented Sri Lanka since 2010.” Coach Tamara Liyanage said.
What is particularly advantageous is the fact that the 3 who represent the senior team play across the court; Thisala Algama will play as a shooter, Gayani Dissanayake will be on the defensive end and Gayanjali Amarawansa will control the center court.
Added to this is the experience of Dulangi Wannithilake, Bashini Yoshitha, Senani Palika and Ruwani Yatigammana who represented the Youth team in the 8th Asian Youth Netball Championships in 2013 alongside Gayani and Thisala.
Upon being asked about what the teams’ goal is in the tournament, both Coach Liyanage and Captain Dissanayake expressed that their primary focus is on winning the tournament.
“We are expecting to win. It will not be a bed of roses but we are ready to fight for the title. Last time we were runners-up, losing to Malaysia in the finals, this time we believe we can come out on top.” Coach Liyanage said.
The Captain will surely have not so fond memories of the last tournament’s final in which she was the vice-captain of the team, but she seemed confident – “the last time we won the tournament was back in 2002, but I think this time we will be able to bring the cup to Sri Lanka.”
The tournament will commence today with Malaysia taking on Maldives while Sri Lanka will face 7th rank India in their 1st match of the championship later in the day.
The 12 teams participating in the tournament have been put into 4 groups of 3 according to rankings and the teams that top their groups will move on to the Trophy round while the teams in 2nd place will qualify for the Plate round and those finishing at the bottom of their respective groups will playoff in the Bowl round.
Currently ranked at Number 2 behind Malaysia, Sri Lanka will have to top group B if they are to make a bid for the overall championship.
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