Adding a new flavor to Sri Lanka’s busy international sporting calendar, the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge – Asia/Oceania Group III (Pool A) got underway yesterday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts in Colombo 07. The tournament runs from the 16th to the 21st of June, with the Sri Lanka women’s tennis team aiming for glory on home soil, boosted by the home advantage.
This glamorous tournament features nine Asian nations on the rise in the world tennis scene, all vying for promotion to Group II next year.
Participating Nations:Sri Lanka, Nepal, Turkmenistan, Qatar, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria
In preparation for the tournament, the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) has meticulously selected a balanced pool of young talent, combining experience, strong game-reading skills, and tactical insight.
The five-member squad includes:
Dinara de Silva – St. Bridget’s Convent
Tuvini Seyara de Alwis – Methodist College
Oneli Samarawickrama – Newstead College, Negombo
Akeesha Silva – Newstead College, Negombo
Inuki Jayaweera – Musaeus College
The team is guided by experienced coach and multiple-time national champion Thangarajah Dineshkanthan, who brings a wealth of knowledge and strategy to the squad. According to him, the players have put in significant preparation for the tournament and are eager and enthusiastic to face the challenge. Expectations are high, with top-ranked Dinara de Silva and Tuvini de Alwis both showing excellent form in domestic competitions.
Sri Lanka has a fair chance of earning promotion, as the matches will be played in familiar conditions on the very courts the team has trained on. Additionally, strong local support is expected to energize the players, offering a vital edge in tightly contested matches.
The format of the Asia/Oceania Group III is divided into two events with two pools each. Each event features a two-stage round-robin:
Event A includes one pool of four nations and one pool of five.
Event B consists of two pools of five nations each.
The top team from each pool will face off in a promotional play-off on Saturday, 21st June, against the corresponding pool winner within their event to determine who advances to Asia/Oceania Group II in 2026. No teams will face relegation.
Pakistan, a strong contender in South Asian tennis, will field a well-experienced team led by captain Sara Mansoor, along with Ushna Suhail, Amna Ali Qayum, Meheq Khokhar, and Sheeza Sajid. Their subcontinental rival, Nepal, will be represented by Abhilasha Bista and Shivali Gurung. Strong challenges are also expected from the central and western Asian nations, as Iraq, Myanmar, Qatar, Syria, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan are determined to leave their mark.
Hong Kong’s seasoned official Charles Lau will serve as the Head Referee, with Sri Lanka’s Anjana de Silva as the Assistant Referee. Tournament Director Nithiyanathan Sylvan and Chief Umpire Sarangan Jayachandrirun will also represent Sri Lanka in official capacities during the tournament.
List of participants
Iraq
Shogher Tomasian, Zalal Khalil, Lara Hasan (Captain: Ahmed Al-Saedi)
Myanmar
Htay Htay Myint, Nilar Win, Thire Zoun, Ei Phyu (Captain: Kyi Mya Zaw)
Nepal
Abhilasha Bista, Shivali Gurung, Sunira Thapa, Swastika Bista (Captain: Krishna Raj Ghale)
Pakistan
Ushna Suhail, Amna Ali Qayum, Meheq Khokhar, Sheeza Sajid (Captain: Sara Mansoor)
Qatar
Mubaraka Al-Naimi, Hind Al-Mudahka, Dana Khalifa (Captain: Mubaraka Al-Naimi)
Sri Lanka
Dinara de Silva, Akeesha Silva Diyunuge, Oneli Samarawickrama, Inuki Jayaweera, Tuvini Seyara de Alwis (Captain: Thangarajah Dineshkanthan)
Syria
Marry Abrash, Bana Izzi, Yara Sammouh, Lamar Albadawi* (Captain: Raymond Frossin)
*Replacing Baysan Jamoul
Tajikistan
Saiyora Rajabalieva, Anisa Yakhyaeva, Sumaya Tukhtaeva, Anastasiya Tashlintseva (Captain: Dalerjon Qurbonov)
Turkmenistan
Ilima Guseynova, Aynur Movlyamova, Leyli Esenova, Jennet Orazalyyeva (Captain: Gurbanberdi Gurbanberdiyev)
 got underway yesterday at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts in Colombo 07. The tournament is in action from the 16th to the 21st of June, and the Sri Lanka women’s tennis team will aim for glory on their home soil with the home advantage.){kind=link}