The All Island Intermediate/Novices Table Tennis Championships were held on the 06th and 07th of August at S. Thomas` College Indoor Stadium. Maneesha Shalindi of Karandeniya Central College won the two titles in Intermediate Women`s and Novices Women`s singles category and bought honors to her alma-mater.
Maneesha Shalindi beat Aischcharya Lakshsani of Kegalu Balika Maha Vidyala winning two sets out of the three sets played in the final game of the Intermediate Women`s Singles final. Maneesha won the first set 11-02 while her opponent came back into the game winning the second 08-11. Yet, Maneesha, dominating the game, won the second set after a close tussle 11-08.
In the men`s category Lasen Githmal from Royal College, Colombo won against Yasith Jayasinghe from University of Moratuwa. Lasen claimed ownership to a couple of sets out of the tree that were played. The final scores read 11-05, 06-11 and 11-08.
In the novices` category Maneesha Shalindi won the girls` category while the boys` category was won by Sithum Niranga. Maneesha won both sets 11-03 and 11-06 while Sithum won two out of three to win the title.
In the age group categories, the Under 21 boys` category was won by Venuk Wijesinghe from Royal as he beat Thisara Lochana of Dharmaloka College with a clean slate winning both the sets 11-09, 11-08. Himalsha Kavinidi from Prajapathi Balika Vidyala claimed the girls` title.
Royal College topped ranks once again as Kavindu Suranga won the under 18 boys` bracket beating his colleague Venuk Wijesinghe two sets to one. Oshadi Umayangana from Buddhist Girls’ School had a comfortable win in the girls` category as she won two sets to zero against Rashmi Devnarayana.
Under 15 boys` title was awarded to Deepaja Premathilaka of Ananda College while the girls` trophy was laid in the hands of Oneli Lehansa of Musaeus College. The Under 12 boys` award was an easy win for Ramiru Randisa of Dharmashoka College as he beat Danuk Lamasuriya two sets to zero. The girls` bracket was dominated by Esandi Perera of Vishaka Vidyalaya.
Dharmashoka College duo Harin Nimdinu and Senash Parenda battled for the under 10 boys` singles and Harindu came out on top winning the game two sets to one. It was a treat to watch as the girls` final of the same age bracket was played between to players from the same school. Omalhara Bopearachchi beat Tharuki Amodya two sets to nil.
Under 8 boys` category was awarded to Akain Suranga of Colombo South International School while Yasandi Nehansa won the girls` category.
The tournament was organized by the G.S.M Table Tennis Academy.
