Making a comeback following injury, Naveen Henakankanamge is set to be named Captain of the Sri Lanka U19 XVs team for the upcoming Asia Rugby U19 Championship later this year.
With all his experience and skills on field, Sri Lanka would expect a better finish in the tournament this year around.
It has been a glorious year for the former Thomian skipper Henakankanamge, who led his school to consecutive Sevens titles earlier this year. No sooner, he went on to represent the Etisalat Panthers in the Sri Lanka Super 7’s and later the Access Group at the 47th Mercantile Sevens, making a smooth transition into professional rugby.
Henakankanamge was given the privilege of captaining the U-20 Sevens team at the Asia U-20 Sevens tournament, making it the third stint for him as a captain of a national team.
He previously led the U-18 team to a Plate and a Cup championship in 2016 which gave him all the needed experience to lead the U-20 Sevens team.
His consistency and outstanding performance in all the concluded sevens tournaments reserved him a deserved spot in the National Team. He was given the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka with the big boys for the first time at the Asia Sevens series.
Despite being a debutant, Henakankanamge did not fail to impress with his speed and try scoring abilities as he became a threat to the opponents and a great asset for the Sri Lankan team. However, due to injury he unfortunately missed out on the final leg of the series played in Sri Lanka.
Not only in the sevens circuit, but in the fifteens as well, Henakankanamge is sure to be a threat to any opposition.
He was the highest try scorer in the 2016 Schools season and went on to tour Malaysia representing the U19 XV’s team for the Asia Championship U-19 later that year. His experience and potential in the leadership role will undoubtedly help the junior Tuskers to a great finish to end this year on a high note.
