Six TT veterans for Masters Games in South Africa

Table tennis: The Veterans Table Tennis Association of Sri Lanka has named a six member team to participate in the fifth South African Masters Games to be worked off from April 27 to May 1 at the Nelson Mandela Bay in South Africa.

The Sri Lanka team comprises Dr. G. N. Lucas, S. S. de Silva, Sarath Wijesuriya, Rajiva Wijetunga, Waruna Gunawardena and Nimal Perera.

Dr. G.N. Lucas

Was the national singles finalist in 1965 and No.1 ranked player and won seven open table tennis tournaments. Captain of the national table tennis team from 1966-1971.

Has also won several Veterans Table Tennis Open singles titles (Over 40) in 2005.

Was a member of the Veterans T.T. Team which won the Open Inter-club League T.T. tournament for men (Over 40) in 2004 & 2005.

Partnering M.M.M. Laffeer, won a silver medal in the Men's doubles event (55-64 age category) at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada - July 2005.

S.S. de Silva

Former Sri Lankan ranked player.Won the Mercantile Veteran's Singles Title - 2005.

Was a member of the Veterans Team which became the runners-up in the Open Inter-club League T.T. tournament for men (Over 40) in 2005. Won a Bronze medal in the Men's doubles event (35-44 age category) at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada - July 2005, partnering D.M. Bandula.

Sarath Wijesuriya

Won two (2) Veterans Table Tennis Open Single Titles (Over 40) in 2005.

Won the Over 50 Men's singles title at the Veterans Open T.T. Championships 2005 beating Dr. G.N. Lucas.Won a triple crown at the Nationalised Services Table Tennis Championships in 2005.

Won a Silver Medal in the Men's doubles event (45-54 age category) at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada - July 2005, partnering Rajiva Wijetunge.

Rajiva Wijetunge

A Veteran double international who has made remarkable achievements in table tennis and athletics. Won one gold and two Silvers and one Bronze at international sporting events for T.T. and athletics in 2005. An outstanding Sportsman of Royal College.

The first Sri Lankan to win a medal for an individual event for T.T. at the World Masters Games. Won a Silver Medal in the Men's doubles event and a Bronze medal in the men's Singles (45-54 age category) at the World Masters Games in Edmonton, Canada - July 2005.

Won a Gold Medal for the Discuss throw and a Silver medal for the Shot put (45-49 age category) at the Singapore Masters Athletics Championship.

Won two (2) local Open Veteran's singles events and a triple crown at the Sri Lanka Veteran's Table Tennis Championships 2005.

Captained the Ceylinco Table Tennis Team which won the Mercantile 'A' division league and knock-out tournaments in 2005.

A national selector for Table Tennis and the President of the Ceylinco Sports Club.

Will participate in both Table Tennis and Athletics at the South African Masters Games 2006.

Waruna Gunawardena

Toured Germany, Switzerland, Australia, China, Japan, Singapore and Canada with the Sri Lanka Veterans Table Tennis Team.

Was the runner-up in the men's doubles event at the Nationalised Services Table Tennis Championships 2005.

Nimal Perera

Toured Australia, China with the Sri Lanka Veterans Table Tennis Team.

Became runner-up in the men's doubles event partnering Waruna Gunawardena at the Nationalised Services Table Tennis Championships 2005.