Anandians all-island tennis champs

The Ananda College tennis team emerged overall champions beating St. Peters College, (SPC) Colombo at the recently concluded All Island Inter School Tennis Tournament concluded at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) courts recently.

Ananda College dominated throughout the tournament beating top tennis playing schools in the country, bagging Under-13, 15 and 19 championships while securing second runner up position in Under 17 category.

Over 400 players from nearly 25 Schools island-wide took part in this event, which is considered the biggest tennis event at school level organized by the Sri Lanka Schools' Tennis Association (SLSTA).

The Schools' Tennis Tournament commenced in early 1930's. Anandians dominated the tournament in 1960's and 1970's.

The significance of this year's victory was that it was the first time Ananda College clinched the Overall Championship since SLSTA commenced granting the title in 1980's.

Road to Victory:

The Under 13 team brought honour to its school by bringing home the championship in their age category after two decades beating St. Peters College at the final three to one matches. In the group stages the team beat Maliyadeva College 5-0, Royal College 4-1, S. Thomas' College Mt. Lavina 3-2. At the semi finals the team beat St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa by 3-0.

In the finals Dushan Wijetunga played excellently beating L. Maujude of St. Peter's College 6/1, 6/1 in the first singles match. In the second singles, Nuwantha Dissanayaka beat S. Indujan of St. Peter's College 4/6, 6/1 and 6/2. In the third Singles, Kavinda Bandara beat Farik Sabur of SPC 6/4, 6/2. In the first doubles, unfortunately Pasindu Perera and Sanuda Amasith was defeated by Mark Seneviratne and Adil Reeza of SPC 6/4, 6/2.

Contributing immensely to the Overall Championship the Under 15 team became champions after five years. In the group stage the team beat St. Sebastian's College Moratuwa 5-0, Vidura College 5-0, S. Thomas' College Prep School 5-0, St. Josephs' College 5-0, Royal College Colombo 4-1 and Karandeniya Central 5-0. The team beat S. Thomas' Mount Lavina 3-1 in the semis reaching the final.

In the finals, Nabeel Sabri of SPC beat Harshana Abeyrathna 6/3 6/1 in the first singles while Yehan Rajapakse beat Meshan Nanayakkara 6/1 6/2 in the second singles. Kavindu Diluka won one of the deciding matches, the third singles beating Krishanthan Rajendrasingham 6/4, 7/5. Ananda College dominated under -15 doubles event from the beginning and the first doubles was won by Pavan Wickremeratne and Ravindu Weerasinghe beating Kavinka Fernando and Nisheth Mendis 6/4, 7/5.

The Under 17 team secured the much important bonus point for the Overall Championship becoming the second runners up beating St.Joseph's College 3-0 at the third place match. The Under 17 team faced tournament giants in the group stage with much hardship and beat St. Thomas' Mount Lavina 4-1, St.Thomas College Matale 5-0, D.S Senanayake College 5-0, Trinity College 5-0, St. Michelle's College Batticaloa 5-0 and Royal College 2-3. Unfortunately Anandians were defeated by St. Peter's College at the semi finals.

The Under 19 team emerged champions after 16 years beating St. Peter's College 3-1 at the finals. In the group stage the team beat St. Sebastian's College 5-0, Trinity College Kandy 5-0, Maliyadewa College Kurugenala 5-0, Lyceum International School 4-1 and S. Thomas' College Mount Lavina 4-1. In the semi finals the team beat D.S. Senanayake College 3-0.

In the final, Madusha Wijesuriya played superbly to beat Chinthaka Shaveen 6/3, 7/6 in the first singles match which was the decider of the final. Continuing the winning journey, Navindra Liyanarchchi and Supun Pathirage won the first doubles 6/3, 6/3 making the tie 2-0. Chamode Wijayasekara fought tremendously but unfortunately lost the second singles 6/2, 6/3. In the second doubles, Yasitha Rangana De Silva and Narain Weerasinghe won the match after being 3/6 down in the first set. They played well in the second and third sets winning the match 6/4 6/1.

The victory could not have been achievable if it wasn't for the guidance and support of the Principal L.M.D. Dharmasena. Vice Principal Kumara Rodrigo, POG Jagath De.Alwis and the teacher-in-charge; Ramya Samaradiwakara contributed greatly to make this victory a possible.

Old Anandians' Sports Club - Tennis Wing and parents were equally supportive in achieving this victory. Foremost amongst them, Sujatha De Silva and P. K. De Silva who were instrumental in laying the required foundation.

The victorious teams were coached under the watchful eyes of the head coach Anupa C Maththamagoda. Maththamagoda was assisted by Malinda Seneviratne (under 13), Tharindu Perera (under 15 and under 17), Dinusha Wijesuriya (under 19), Prasanna Athauda, Sylvester Francis, Chavi Thalagala, Damya de Silva, Oshan Buddhika and Prageeth Polgampola. Ananda College is proud to have all the above coaches who jointly contributed to the first ever Overall Championship in the College history of 125 years.