Commonwealth medalist Bandara ignored

Igniting controversy over selection of pugilists for the upcoming South Asian Games ( SAG), Sri Lanka has neglected a potential medal prospect Ishan Bandara. This came to light after Sri Lanka named a 14- member team for the SAG, to be held from December 1 to 10 in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Bandara, who won a bronze medal at the last Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, has been excluded from the outfit for the 10- day regional sporting extravaganza. The flyweight boxer, 28, went down fighting to the region's top ranked boxer in the 52kg category, India’s Gaurav Solanki at the Commonwealth Games 2018 semi- final bout, thus securing a bronze medal.

Due to an injury lay off, Bandara did not take part at the Selections Trials conducted by the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka. Presently Bandara is fully recovered and anticipates a strong comeback at the SAG, but so far has been left with disappointment.

According to Sri Lanka Army Boxing Coach Jayathilaka, Bandara has fully recovered from the injury on his hand. And he is shaping up very well at practice sessions.

“Ishan ( Bandara) is an asset to the country, players of other countries fear of him. Unfortunately, he is not in the touring party. It’s very sad,” said Sampath Jayatilleke.

The omission of two Ishan Bandara is a key setback for the Sri Lanka boxing team. Sri Lanka boxing selectors have nominated a list of 14 members with nine male and five women boxers.

Meanwhile, winner of the recently concluded Clifford Cup, Sanjaya Bandara, has also failed to make it to the touring party for the SAG, after a poor performance at the Selection Trials.

Men:

Sanjeewa Nuwan (SL Army/Light flyweight 49kg), VL Eranda (Slimline/Flyweight 52kg), N.K. Amarasinghe (Slimline/Bantamweight 56kg), Vimukthi Kumara (SL Army/Lightweight 60kg), D.D. Saparamadu (Slimline/ Light welterweight 64kg), N.M. Hettiarachchi (Slimline/ Welterweight 69kg), D.D. Maduranga (SL Army/ Middleweight 75kg), E.M. Mudannayake (Army/Light Heavyweight 81kg), B.E. Tillekeratne (SL Army/Super Heavyweight 91+kg)

Women:

Nadeeka Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC/Light flyweight 49kg), A.K. Nilmini (Unichela/Flyweight 51kg), P.S. Cooray (Air Force/Bantamweight 54kg), A.D. Dharmatilleke (Unichela/Featherweight 57kg), A.K. Hansika (Unichela/Lightweight 60kg)