Thirty Lankan competitors for Asian Youth Games

Chinthana Wasala

After a long interval, once again, the Sri Lankan boys and girls have received an opportunity to show their talents in an International sports meet when the first Asian Youth Games will commence on June 29 in Singapore.

The nine day sports extravaganza will see 30 Sri Lankan boys and girls competing in five sports along with around 1400 boys and girls from 45 Asian countries.

The events will be conducted at 10 locations and will facilitate a total of 90 events in nine sports.

All the athletes who will compete for honours will be between 14-17 years old and this would be the first international exposure for most of them. The AYG 2009 will be of great value for the young sportsmen and women prior to the inaugural Youth Olympic Games to be held at the same city in 2010 The AYG is co-organized by the Singapore Sports Council and the Ministry of Education of Singapore.

Sri Lanka team: Boys - Heshan Unamboowe, Dhanika Nisehendra Weerasekera (Swimming), Ashan J. Fernando, A. Madusanka Fernando (Beach Volleyball), Naveendra H. Amarasinghe, Gayashan M. Athawuda, A.M. Dulaj Lahiru, Indunil M. Herath, Madushanka M. Dissanayake, A.F. Danushka Ashen (Athletics), H. Shashiranga Arsakulasooriya, K.W. Imanthe Udanjaya (Table Tennis), Praneeth Udumalagala, Yohan D, Keyser, Anook de Fonseka, D. Clinton Stallone (Basketball - 3 on 3)

Girls: Oshani Chapa Ilangakoon, Y. Nilanthika Sanjeewani (Beach Volleyball), Akshana C. Maralanda, J. Pabasara Senanayake, Nadeeshani Henderson, A.M. Keshani Perera, Nayomi G. Jayathillake, Nimesha M. Siriwardena (Athletics), G.V. Nuwani Navodya, Kavindi R. Sahabandu (Table Tennis), Swairie R. A. Fernando, Thushani Dhanushka, Jayani N. Ransiri, Sanduni Udeshika (Basketball - 3 on 3)