Royal, Visakha and Nalanda take honours in RCUAC Challenge Shield 2023

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Royal, Visakha and Nalanda take honours in RCUAC Challenge Shield 2023

Royal College, Visakha Vidyalaya and Nalanda College swept the awards in the RCUAC Challenge Sheld 2023 worked out last weekend at the Royal College Pool, Colombo.

Royal won the U11, U13 and U15 Boys Championships, while Visakha Vidyalaya lifted the Girls U13, U15 and U18 Championships. Nalanda College emerged victorious in the U17 Boys category.

A staggering 25 Water polo teams, from 11 leading schools took part in this unique competition organized by the Royal College Union Aquatic Club (RCUAC). The theme for the competition “For the Love of the Game”.

It was the first instance where an Under 11 Water polo tournament was conducted. This was Sri Lanka’s only tournament dedicated to promoting; U11, U13, U15 and U17 Water polo teams.

The schools were participated were Bishops College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Ladies College, Colombo International School, Gateway College, S. Thomas’ College, Nalanda College, St. John’s College, Thurstan College, D.S Senanayake College and the hosts Royal College.

The last event for the day was the over 35 age-group match played between Royal College Masters team vs S. Thomas’ College Masters team.

The Match Results are as follows:

  • Under 11 Boys:

Final – Royal College defeated Nalanda College by 8 goals to 3.

The highest goals scorer was Mr Yahiya Farhan of Royal College.

  • Under 13 Boys:

Final – Royal College defeated Thurstan College by 7 goals to 3.

The highest goals scorers with 2 goals each were Mr T. Liyanage and A. Kareem of Royal College.

  • Under 13 Girls:

Final – Visakha Vidyalaya beat Gateway College by 7 goals to 1.

The highest goal scorer was Ms. V. De Silva of Visakha Vidyalaya

  • Under 15 Boys:

Final – Royal College defeated S. Thomas’ College by 13 goals to 4.

The highest goal scorers in the final were Mr. Lithum Karunasena and Mr Sulaimaan Shihar with 2 goals each.

The Best Player award considering all games played in the tournament was given to Mr Dinal Wellappili of Royal College.

  • Under 15 Girls:

League Format Deciding Match – Visakha Vidyalaya beat Bishops College in their deciding match 7 goals to 4 goals in a league format which also involved Ladies College.

The Best Player award was given to Ms. Ranudi Weerawardhane of Visakha Vidyalaya.

  • Under 17 Boys:

Final – Nalanda College defeated Colombo International School by 7 goals to 1 goal.

The Best Player award was given to Mr Pansilu Jayamanne of Nalanda College.

  • Under 18 Girls:

League Format Deciding Match –  Visakha Vidyalaya beat Ladies College in their deciding match 9 goals to 3 goals in a league format which also involved Bishops College.

The Best Player award was given to Ms. Thiyumi Gunawardena of Visakha Vidyalaya.

The tournament was sanctioned by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and used the shot clock in keeping with international standards. The long-term vision for having these events, is to promote Water polo, to as many schools as possible, and in turn build a strong pool of athletes to represent Sri Lanka.

The RCUAC would like to thank everyone involved from; the Chairman of the Organizing Committee Mr Kavindra Samaraweera and Tournament Director Mr Shan Lakshitha of the RCUAC and the sponsors;  Royal College Batch of 2003, Nestle Lanka, Bairaha Farms PLC, Munchi PLC, Aqua Fresh, Jetwing Hotels, and Taj Benthota Resort and Spa, A Sincere thank you to the Royal College Union, Royal College Doctors Association, Red Cross Society, Board of Management for the Royal College Pool, School Development Society, Chaiwala Colombo, Alerics Ice creams, Glyco candy, Cake Box, Food Company, Athlete Unleashed, Fitness Formula, Premadasa Riding School and Extreme Gravel, Media Partners TNL Now, ThePapare.com, Quadrangle, MURC Live, Good News Lanka & Shutter K1000 for supporting the event.