15-member contingent for Roll Ball World Cup
Sri Lanka have sent a 15-member contingent to contest in the 5th Roll Ball World Cup 2019 currently being held in Chennai, India. The tournament is set to run until November 20.
The Roll Ball World Cup is a Men’s and Women’s International Roll Ball tournament organized by the International Roll Ball Federation (IRBF). Roll Ball was introduced to the country in 2015 by Balasingham Thavendran, who is the founder and General Secretary of the Roll Ball Federation of Sri Lanka (RBFSL).
“It is an exciting game for students. Our boys and girls have shown tremendous potential within a short span,” said Thavendran. Assistant Director of the
Ministry of Sports Nadeeka Damayanthi also wished the teams success.
The Sri Lanka Women’s team came third at the 3rd Asian Roll Ball Championship in February while the Men’s National team was placed fourth with K. Dilshan being adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
The seven-member Sri Lanka Women’s squad captained by Chalani Madushani Herath comprises Didulani Kaushalya, Udeni Navoda, Hirushi Prabashwari, A. Milani, Anthony Thivya, and goalkeeper N. Vinusa. Jesuratnam Priyanka, 20, who played in the previous World Cup in 2017, is the Women’s coach.
There are 17 teams in the Women’s competition and
Sri Lanka has been drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Poland and England.
The Sri Lanka Men’s squad is led by Kusalaratnam Dilshan, and has Lasantha Pramudith de Silva as their coach.
The eight-member Sri Lanka Men’s squad also comprises Aruna Kumara, Isuru Senesh, Dinesh Milinda, Balasingham Puveendran, H. Gayantha Iroshana, D. Akshi Amarasekera and K. Anuradha Perera.
The Men’s competition sees 28 teams taking part and Sri Lanka has been drawn in Group D with England, France, Uganda, Bangladesh, Latvia and Uruguay.
India is the defending champion in both Men’s and Women’s categories.