Sri Lanka netball players will participate in a Triangular Invitation tournament in preparation for the forthcoming World Netball Championship in England.
Malaysia and Kenya have confirmed their participation in this triangular tournament which will be held from April 8 to 12 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.
The Sri Lanka pool and the Youth team will compete in this tournament in preparation of the next major two tournaments, the World Cup, which is scheduled to be held from July 12 to 21 in Liverpool, England and the Asian Junior Championships which is scheduled to be held from June 30 to July 7 in Japan. The national pool comprising15 players are already practicing under the guidance of coach Thilaka Jinadasa who is more concerned not only about their physical fitness but also their mental toughness for the big tournament.
However, the junior pool comprising 20 players have not begun their preparations as the appointment of the coach was delayed.
At the moment, Badulla district coach Kumari Gamage was named the junior coach and Sports Minister Harin Fernando has already given his approval. Meanwhile, the administration of Netball Federation is facing many objections and criticism for which the Sports Ministry would be prompted to appoint an Interim Committee to run the affairs of netball. This was confirmed by the Sports Ministry Secretary Chalananda Perera.
Despite all these developments the two pools will continue with their practices under their respective coaches.
Soon after this Triangular tournament there is a plan to send the national netball team to Zambia to play a series of matches to gain exposure.
Last time the netball team got the opportunity to go to Malavi and play some friendly matches before the Asian Games which proved very useful. Twelve players who took part at the last Asia Cup are in line for places in the senior National team.
Sixteen teams will be divided into four groups at the World Cup. Sri Lanka is in group ‘A’ with Zimbabwe, Northern Ireland and Australia. Their first match is against Zimbabwe on July 12, Northern Ireland on July 13 and Australia on July 14.
Sri Lanka pool: Chaturangi Jayasuriya (Air Force), Dharshika Abeywickrama (Air Force), Tharjani Shivalingam (Seyland Bank), Gayani Dissanayake (HNB), Hasanjali Kumarawansa (HNB), Thilini Wattegedera (Air Force), Hasitha Mendis (Air Force), Nawchali Rajapakse (Sports Ministry), Surekha Kumari (Air Force), Sulakkana Dhanangi (Navy), Dulangi Wannithilleka (Navy), Elilanthini Sekukawalar (Jaffna), Deepika Dharshani (Navy), Gayathri Kaushalya (Army), Mareesha Fernando (Army)