From left front row: Sahini Hirunika, Nalika Karunaratna, Shalanika Gamapathirana (Capt. women’s team), Oshadi Sri Jayampathi, Hasini Sandunika. Back row from left: Tharaka Sandaruwan, Sameer Ahamath, Sampath Ranasingha, Dinesh Soysa, Adheeb Hassan, Azmin Ahamat (asst. coach), Indika Samarasinghe, Azhaar Hussain, Oshan Abeyrathna, JDP Silva, Aniq Farzan, Dushan Tharinda. Absent: Ahmed Amjadeen (capt. men’s team), Imesha Madushani and Ashen Jeewaka
Five nations are set to participate in the fourth South Asian Championship for the Bangabandu Cup to be held at the Shaheed Suhrawardi National Indoor Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh from December 27 to 31.
The countries that will be participating are India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will send 12 men and six women players along with five officials. The men will take part in Sepak Takraw, Regu quad and Team event while the women will participate in Regu and quad.
Ahmed Amjadeen from Puttalum Malay Association will be the men’s captain while Shalanika Gamapathirana from the Army will lead the women’s team.
The main feature in the composition of the teams will consist of two sets of twins each in the men’s and women’s teams. They are Adheeb Hassan and Azhaar Hussain in the men’s team while the women’s team comprises Sahini Hirunika and Hasini Sandunika.
Indika Samarasinghe is the head coach while Azmin Ahamat will be his assistant.
The men’s team: – Dinesh Soysa, Tharaka Sadaruwan, J.D.P. Silva, Adheeb Hassan, Azhaar Hussain, Sameer Ahamath, Anik Farzan, Dushan Tharinda, Sampath Ranasinghe, Ashen Jeewaka and Dhananjaya Abeyrathna.
The women’s team: – Imesha Madushani, Nalika Karunaratna, Oshadi Sri Jayampathi, Sahini Hirunika and Hasini Sandunika.
Their aim is to win a gold medal in at least one of the five events.
The squad has received the approval from the Ministry of Sports. (TBR)