The Sri-Lankan national life saving team will depart from the paradise island on the 10th Of September and arrive in France, Montpellier to participate in the Life Saving World Championship.
They will be competing with ninety contenders around the globe from the 16th-21st September for one true dream of bringing glory to the Motherland.
Last Season and Achievements
The national team participated in the South Asian Beach Games in 2011 at Hambanthota where they together put up an exceptional performance by winning six gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals. They were crowned as the Champions of South-Asia.
The last recalled time that Sri-Lanka participated in a world tournament was in the year 2012. Sri Lankan lads did beat the contenders around the globe and bought souls of victory. They participated in two categories as U-19 and Open and the achievements are as follows;
Under-19
Sahan Rupasinghe – 4th Place (Line Throwing)
The team together earned the seventh and the fifth place in the beach flag event under the same category.
Open Championship
Bhanuka Wijesundara won the thirteenth place in both the beach flag and the sprint events.
Squad for the World Championship
The squad forRescue-2014 consists of two teams: Under-19 and Open Championship team. Ananda College and Nalanda College together provides young blood to feature in the youth category of the Championship.
Under-19 Team
Dhanushka Tharaka (Captain) – Ananda College, Colombo
Dilanka Shehan – Nalanda College, Colombo
Dineth Pabasara – Ananda College, Colombo
Denal Hashintha – Nalanda College, Colombo
Kalana Perera – Nalanda College, Colombo
Ruslin Praveen- Nalanda College, Colombo
Open Championship Team
Akila Wataraka (Captain)
Bhanuka Wijesundara
Lahiru Fernando
Panduka Gunesekara
Ishan Mark
Fabian Perera
Officials
Roshan Wijesinghe –Head Coach
Hiran Ukkwatte – Cheif De Mission
Yasal Jayatunga – Assistant Manager
Preparations for Rescue-2014
The practice sessions for the team are held on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday at Mount-Lavina Beach. The Skipper sharing his thoughts stated that the practices are conducted in a well planned order and the fact that they are all set after a good set of practice sessions as a team to compete against the world. Individual practices are carried by the players privately.
Dilanka Shehan from Nalanda College is being named as a favourite in theU-19 category with his solid mental stability and the commitment and the talent showcased at the practise sessions. Sri Lanka flies with hopes that he would bring back medals form the 200m obstacle race, line throw and the beach relay as he is talented in long course.
The Skipper Akila Watareka, Lahiru Fernando and Bhanuka Wijesundara have hopes in their hearts to bring back medals in the beach relay and the line throw events as thye hold immense experience with in themselves.
In conclusion the team together would like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to the Hon. Minister of Sports Mr. Mahindanada Aluthgamage, Mr. Namal Rajapakese (MP),President of LSASL Mr. Sanath Wijetunge , Sectary of LSASL Mr. Asanka Nanyakkara for al the support they have rendered towards a road of victory.
ThePapare.com was delighted to have caught up with these dashing youngsters and wishes them all the best!
