10th Asian Youth Volleyball championship will be under way from the 5th -13th September 2014 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Along with the home side Sri Lanka, there will be 15 countries taking part in this championship. This event initially started in 1997 in the Philippines and Sri Lanka will be hosting this event for second time as they hosted first in 2008.
The Sri Lankan team have been in preparation for this event for the last five months at the Madampitiya Senanayake Vidyala and from recent at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and they are aware that they are up against quality oppositions such as Iran, Japan, China and Korea.
Speaking to ThePapare.com Charles Thilakarathna, Coach of the Youth Volleyball team said, it is a privilege to be coaching a young talented group. And the main goal is making it to the top 8 of the tournament. He also mentioned that seven players from the squad have recently come after the Asian schools tournament in Thailand. He also mentioned that team has been preparing for this event for the last five months and training has been very intense. He further stated that the Sri Lanka Volleyball federation and its officers contributions are greatly appreciated.
Shehan Lakshitha team captain said, practices have been progressing smoothly and the coaches and the federation have been supporting the team tremendously.
The top players in the team to look out for are captain Shehan Lakshitha, vice-captain Rehan Madushanka Chankam, Lakshan Chamuditha and Vinod Maduranga. Seven of the young Sri Lankan Volleyball players have just come after a successful Asian schools games tournament in Thailand. The young side is coached by Charles Thilakarathna who is a national level three coach and he is assisted by Susiri Mangala Kumara, Chaminda Lakshman, and Chaminda Sandaruwan. Our young Sri Lankans were able to win against Bahrain last Friday in a practice match.
Full squad :
Shehan Lakshitha(captain) Position – High Attack, School – Joseph Vaaz
Rehan Madushanka(Vice- captain) Position – High Attack, School – Seeduwa Davisamara School
Lakshan Chamuditha Position- Quick , School – Royal College
Vinod Maduranga Position – Quick , School – Joseph Vaaz
Dulanjaya Prakash Position – Quick , School – Nathandiya Dhammissara College
Gihan Anjula Position – Quick, School – Hunugama Vijayaba College
Mihiranga Udayakumara Position – High Attack, School – Seeduwa Davisamara School
Hathsala Jayadeva Position – Setter, School – Madampe Senanayake College
Isuru Ranjula Position – Quick, School – Seeduwa Davisamara College
Vishvana Chankam Position – Setter, School – Joseph Vaaz
Lahiru Dehshan Position – Libero, School – Seeduwa Davisamara School
