Young paddlers leave for Vienna

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

The 20- member Sri Lankan under-12 Table Tennis team will be in action at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Hopes Tournament which is being held in Vienna, Austria today and tomorrow. The local paddlers received felicitated by the Sri Lanka Table Tennis Association (SLTTA) President and Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna at the Ministry auditorium, Sethsiripaya before they left the country.

Nearly 200 peddlers from 60 countries will take part in this tournament. The Hopes tournament will be the ITTF world talent search for the future champions of the game.

Sri Lankan youngsters had the privilege to train under Dejan Papic, a well reputed ITTF coach who has visited Sri Lanka under the Hopes programme recently and expects the paddlers to perform well during the tournament.

Two paddlers from Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda received sponsorships for their air tickets from Minister Alagiyawanna as their fathers have sacrificed their lives to protect the country from terrorism.

The Minister said that table tennis is one sport that has been chosen to develop in preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games and emphasized the importance of popularizing the game through out the country.

He further said these young paddlers are country's future assets and the experience they gain in this international scene will have a great impact on their careers.

The team: Lithmina Mahanama (Wesley College), Trishan Nimesh, Chamod Sandeepa, Isuru Anjana, Dinul Himsara, Disanka Thennakoon, Kavindya Seshadhi, Viduni Odheesha (Dharmasoka College), Virunaka Hendahewa (Royal College), Thisura Thenuka 9Sri Devenanda College), Kavindu Jayaratne (Maliyadeve College), Ironi Kavindya (Holy Family Convent, Kalutara), Hansani Piyumila (Anula Vidyalaya), Sachini Alwis (Girls' High School, Mount Lavinia), Seshala Bandara ((St. Joseph's Girls' School, Kegalle), Wathsala de Silva (Southland Balika Vidyalaya), Roshini Dahanayake (Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala)

Officials: Swarna Peiris (Team Manager), Mansil Muthalib (Chef-de-Mission), Kumudu de Silva (Coach), Chathura Dushan (Coach), Maheshi Anusha (Lady Chaperon)