Veteran paddlers shine along

Former top paddlers showed that they still haven't gone off colour at the 17th Veterans Open Table Tennis Championship 2017, held at the S. Thomas' College Indoor Complex in Mt. Lavinia.

Among the top performers were former national stars, who made their country proud during their heydays.

Former national stars Udayangani Aluvihare, Indika Silva, Namal Gunasekara, Lalith Priyantha and Dietmar Doering were victorious in the event categories they took part.

Among them Udayangani Aluvihare and Indika Silva won a triple each. Aluvihare claimed the Over- 40 Women's Single, Over-40 Women's Double and the Mixed Doubles championships. Silva won the Over- 40 Men's Singles, Over- 40 Men's Doubles and par t n e re d Aluvihare in the Mixed Doubles finals to claim his triple crown.

Veteran player Lalith Priyantha and Dietmer Doering claimed a double each . Priyantha won the Over- 50 Men's Singles and Over- 50 Men's Doubles events while Doering won the Over- 60 Men's Singles and partnered Priyantha in the Over- 50 Men's Doubles. Over 100 players from all parts of the island came down to Mt. Lavinia to take part in the three-day tournament.

Udayangani Aluvihare (Grand Hotel) beat Samantha Jayadeva (SL Telecom) Over-40 Men’s Singles: Indika Prasad Silva (SL Navy) beat G.L.A.D. Prasanna (SL Navy)

Namal Gunasekara (Grand Hotel) beat Ira Ruwanpathirana (Friendship TTC) Over-50 Men’s Singles: Lalith Priyantha (Butterfly SC) beat Gamini Moraeus (Astron)

Dietmer Doering (Marawila SC) beat M.M.M. Laffeer (Tech Motors)

Namal Gunasekara/ Udayangani Aluvihare beat Ira Ruwanpathirana/ Samantha Jayadeva

Indika Prasad Silva/G.L.A.D. Prasanna beat Gamini Moraeus/ Nissanka Thilakananda Lalith Priyantha/Dietmer Doering beat G.N. Lucas/ N.H. Piyadasa Mixed Doubles: Indika Prasad Silva/Udayangani Aluvihare beat Lalith Priyantha/ Samantha Jayadeva