The national netball squad that will be representing the country at the Netball World Championships is hard at work preparing for Netball’s showcase event to be held in Sydney, Australia in August this year.
The team consists of many players who have represented Sri Lanka in the past, although they are lacking the experience of players like Sashika Samarasinghe (Captained 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014), Tharjani Shivalingham (Captain 2011, 2012), Kumarini De Silva (Captain 2011), Marissa Fernando (Captain 2013, 2014).
After many a roadblock in selecting a team and coaching staff, the final 12 member squad was finalized and Semini Alwis has been named as Captain of the squad. However, here too there seems to be a problem, as Semini is the daughter of newly appointed head coach Deepti Alwis. This controversy is not a new one for the Mother – Daughter duo as this issue arose in the 2013 Asian Youth Championship too. However, at that time it was Semini, who made room for her mother.
There is no doubt that Semini is a talented player who has represented Sri Lanka for many years, however the idea that her mother will coach while she captains is a source of discomfort for many.
With regard to this issue, the Sports minister Navin Dissanayake is reported to have met with the president of the Netball Federation Yasa Ramachandra, Secretary Sanjeevani Wanasinghe and selection committee chairperson Chandrani Pathiraja last week. Minister Dissanayake has indicated that Semini Alwis should continue as Captain, as he does not see any point in disrupting the proceedings of the team further, with the World Championships just a couple of months away. However, action will be taken after the tour, to ensure that such dilemmas do not crop up in future.
Gayani Dissanayake who was also vice-captain at the 8th Asian Youth Championship, has been appointed as Semini’s deputy. Both she and Semini have represented the country on more than 50 occasions and have previously held leadership positions.
SLNF officials justify their decision to appoint Semini as captain by pointing out that she is indeed the most experienced member of the squad, having represented the team since 2006.
The twelve member squad for the World Championships is as follows:
1. Semini Alwis (56 games since 2006)
2. Gayani Dissanayake (50 games since 2010)
3. Thisala Algama (47 games since 2010)
4. Chathurangi Jayasuriya (32 games since 2010)
5. Dharshika Abeywickrema (31 games since 2009)
6. Deepika Abeykoon (24 games since 2012)
7. Sureka Kumari (18 games since 2011)
8. Viraji Thamarika (17 games since 2011)
9. Thilini Wattegedara (13 games since 2014)
10. Hasitha Mendis (12 games since 2011)
11. Gayanjali Amarawansa (6 games since 2013)
12. Nirosha Paiva (Debutant)
