Sri Lanka Water Polo team off to Hong Kong today

Leslie FERNANDO

The 14-member Sri Lanka national water-polo team led by Rajitha Warnapura of Old Thomian Swimming Club will leave to Hong Kong today July 29 to participate in the 6th Asia-Pacific Water Polo Tournament to be held from August 1 to 3 at the Kawloon Park, Indoor Sports Complex in Hong Kong.

The tournament is conducted by the Asian Swimming Federation and hosted by Hong Kong Aquatic Sports Union.

Mahinda Liyanage, the Waterpolo Controller of the Interim Committee of Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union said that this tournament will be a good exposure as Sri Lanka waterpolo team is billed to compete at the Bali Games to be held in Indonesia in October.

The 14 member team on their return from Hong Kong will begin training with the other 26 players (who faced the trial for selection to Hong Kong) in preparation for the October Tournament.

Liyanage former Royal and Sri Lanka swimmer, diver and waterpolo player and also the waterpolo coach of Royal said that the side was selected after a series of trials held at the Sugathadasa Stadium pool.

The teams from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, Iran, India and Sri Lanka will play in this tournament.

The selectors Mike Anthonisz (Chairman), Gavin Amerasinghe, Asanga Warusavitharana, Dilan Vithana and Samitha Perera selected the team and the Sports Ministry has approved it.

The team and the officials: Rajitha Warnapura (OTSC), Zaman Ali Yakoob (MAS),Dhanushka Saram (MAS), Lasitha Perera (MAS), S. Wijeratnam (OTSC), Sanjeewa Abeysinghe (RCUAC), Y. Ranaraja (OTSC), H.M.S.P.K. Herath (Sri Lanka AirForce), Shakthi Warnapura (OTSC), S.J. Silva (Sri Lanka Air Force), Darith de. Silva (S. Thomas' College), Yahan Samarajeeva (Royal), B.A.C.A. Perera (S.
Thomas' College), A. de Alwis (S. Thomas' College), P.S.P. Dayananda (Manager),Fareed Noor Ameen (coach), Pradeep Nishantha Perera (Assistant coach), H.A.Jayantha (Technical Official).