Sri Lanka Under- 21 Water Polo team for Malaysian Water Polo Championship
Sri Lanka will send a strong under- 21 Water Polo team (Men’s) for the 50th Malaysian Age Group Water Polo Championship to be held in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia from May 1 to 4. This team is considered as one the strongest teams Sri Lanka will field as many of the players are part of Sri Lanka National Team which toured recently and all of the players are part of the National Squad.
It has to be mentioned that the players have gained a lot experience from the recently concluded Sri Lanka Water Polo (SLWP) Invitational Championship where SLWP Lions and Sharks team won Silver and Bronze medals respectively against Maharasthra India Water Polo team. All members of the under-21 team were part of either the SLWP Lions or the SLWP Sharks teams. Also many of the players of the under-21 team have been part of the Sri Lanka Senior or Junior teams on earlier occasions.
Sri Lankan contingent will be led by experienced national campaigner Musharraf Uwais while another national player Shan Lakshitha will be his deputy. Sri Lanka will also bank on Wasim M. Bawa and Akila Weerasinghe who were part of the senior team at the 3rd Asian Water Polo Championship in Singapore, 2013. SLWP team also includes Waleed Uwais who has been part of the National team at the 9th Asian Swimming Championship held in Dubai, 2012. Sri Lanka also has some youth prospects in the lineup namely Rifat Uwais, Captain of the Sri Lanka U-17 Water Polo team at the 3rd Asian Youth Water Polo Championship in Singapore 2013 and his teammates at the said championship, Deelaka Weerarathne, Keshan Munasinghe, Oshada Madushanka and Kosala Wijewardena. The team also includes Kanitha Munasinghe, former Youth viceCaptain at the 2th Asian Youth Water Polo Cham- pionship held in Kazakistan 2012 and his team mate at the said championship Chandula Fernando. Pathum Edirisinghe will make his debut International Tour for Team Sri Lanka with this tour.
Musharraf Uwais, Wasim M. Bawa, Akila Weerasinghe, Waleed Uwais, Rifat Uwais and Deelaka Weerarathne were also part of runner up SLWP Lions team at the SLWP Invitational Championship team along with Shan Lakshitha, Kanitha Munasinghe, Keshan Munasinghe, Chandula Fernando, Pathum Edirisinghe, Oshada Madushanka and Kosala Wijewardena who were part of the bronze medal winning SLWP Sharks team at the said championship.
While giving his views about the tour Head Coach Lt. Malaka Chandradasa mentioned that with such a talented team they are expecting to bring back a medal to the nation. It has to be mentioned that if Sri Lanka wins a medal this will be the very first Water Polo team has ever won an International medal outside the South Asian region. Lt. Malaka Chandradasa will be the Head Coach, Awnee Razack and Ajantha Silva will be Assistant Coaches. Hiran Ukwatte has been appointed as the Manager and Ulfath Uwais will be Assistant Manager for this tour. Yahan Samarajeewa and Krishan Duminda will be Team Officials. The team will depart to Malaysia on the 29th of April.
Sri Lanka Team: Musharraf Uwais (Captain), Shan Lakshitha (ViceCaptain), Wasim M. Bawa (all from SL Navy), Akila Weerasinghe, Waleed Uwais, Rifat Uwais, Kanitha Munasinghe, Chandula Fernando (all from Royal College), Deelaka Weerarathne, Keshan Munasinghe, Kosala Wijewardena (all from S. Thomas’ College), Pathum Editisinghe (SL Air Force), Oshada Madushanka (Ananda College)