Amila leads baseball team for 8th Asia Cup

Bernard PERERA

Sri Lanka National Baseball team led by Amila B. Pathiraja will leave the island today to compete at the 8th Asian Baseball Cup competition to be held in Thailand from May 24-31. This was informed to the press by President of the Sri Lanka Amateur Baseball Association Eric Perera (SP) on Thursday at a press briefing held at Sports Ministry.

The President stated that Baseball is still in the young age in Sri Lanka but the national team has competed in this tournament for the last five years. Their participation has brought lots of interest among the players and also made a good progress to be placed 13th in the Asian region.

With a Japanese Coach Shinya Urushibara handling the team they hope to reach a better position this season said Perera. He added that most of the players are with lot of experience and they will use all their expertise to give the other participating countries a torrid time. He thanked the Sports Minister for the fullest co-operation extended to make this tour become a reality.

The Minister who was the chief guest said that Baseball is a sport that can produce good results to bring honour to the country. That was the main reason why the Ministry thought it fitting to support.

He also distributed the playing kits to the players on tour at this conference. The Minister also said that it is interesting to note that most of the players selected are from outstations.

The coach Shinya said he has seen the faults of the players and made to correct their faults which they did well. I am sure that they are capable of moving forward with them being in top form.

The Tour party W.M. Amila Pathiraja (capt) T.U. Gammanpila (V.Capt) W.A.S.K. Guneratne, W.H. Pradeep Chanditha, H.S.M. Perera, N.A. Kasturimudali, J.A.D. Subash Gunesinghe, P.M.B. Iresh Kosala, H.K.K. Akalanka Ranasinghe, U.H.N. Karunaratne, S.S. Ratnayake, D.C.S. Fernando, Supun Chintha Abeysuriya, J.V.C.L. Nainanka, K.A. Adihetti, S.S. Ponnamperuma, L.S. Manna Uthum, P.M. Wettasinghe. Officials Ranjith Ratnayake (Manager) K.M. Heshan Premaratne, (Head of Delegation) Shinya Urushibara (Coach), B.D.K. Perera (Asst Coach), S.H. Malindu Hewage (Umpire).