Sri Lanka U18 Boys’ and Girls’ basketball teams took wing to Malaysia today to participate in the second edition of the FIBA U18 3×3 Asian Championships from 22nd -24th of July 2016.
The selections trials for the U18 Youth team commenced three weeks ago for both boys’ and girls’ categories. All the teams who were eligible to participate in the A Division U19 boys`/girls` tournament were invited to participate in the selection process which were carried out in two phases.
During the first phase the schools competed to enter into the top bracket of ten teams to qualify into the second phase of the selection process. Once the top ten teams were selected; the competition was carried among the top ten and the winners of the boys` and girls` categories were selected for the respective national teams.
Thus, Asian International School became the champions of the boys’ category while Good Shepherd Convent emerged champions of the girls` category.
Representing Asian International School; Dhamshike Piyasena, Arnold Brent, Thurith Haputhanthri and Vinuska Sannasagama will play for Sri Lanka in the boys’ bracket of the tournament. Shereen Preena, Nirma Sasanthi, Hansini Maleesha and Thishakya Perera from Good Shepherd Convent will play for Sri Lanka in girls’ bracket.
Arnold Brent
The official national team kits were handed over to the two teams in the presence of the dignitaries from the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation.
Speaking to the youngsters at the ceremony, President of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation Asanga Amaratunga highlighted the importance of adhering to the disciplinary protocols when representing the country and advised the players to always abide by rules and respect the referee’s decision.
The first edition of the tournament was played in Bangkok in the year 2013 where Philippines won the boys’ title while Chinese Taipei won the girls’ title.
