The inter-school Arjan Perera memorial tennis championship saw an increase in participation and teams from various areas emerged winners that will boost the image of the game island wide according to the organizers. There were a few girls teams from Negombo who finished champions in various age groups and the boys’ events too saw some teams from Negombo and Kandy emerge champions.
However, the junior teams from St. Joseph’s College Colombo came under the spotlight by finishing in second and third places. The best performance was in the under-12 age category where they finished in second place in the division 2. This team comprised Neven Mendis, Thenuk Nanayakkara, Avin Dias, Nathan de Zylva and Angelo Nisal. They received medals and certificates. Their under-14 team was placed third in the division 2. That team comprised Vidul Ranasinghe, Minuka Alexander, Theshika Goonetileke, Dulen Munasinghe and Devon Crist.
Minuka Alexander also emerged champion in the under-14 individual event in the division 3. Thivain Vithanage was placed third in the under-18 division 3 and Neven Mendis was placed fourth in the under-12 division 2 individual event. The Josephian teams are coached by Pahitharan (head coach), Lakshan (junior coach) and Pradeep (junior coach). (TBR)