Visakha Vidyalaya and Bishop’s College will take on each other at the 7th Annual Water Polo encounter, which will be held on the 13th of October at the Police Pool.
Initially started off as a U15 encounter, will feature the U19 match for the first time this year played for the Jeremias Dias Challenge Trophy and the Under 15 match will be played for the Bishop Chapman’s Challenge Trophy.
Last year’s winners Visakha has been the dominant force in the U15’s winning five to Bishop’s two. The two sides have been fine tinkering their preparations in the last couple of weeks.
Endurance v Swimming
“We’ve been working on endurance mostly because playing shot clock is extremely difficult.” Aneka Abeywickrema, Captain of Visakha told ThePapare.com.
“Training has been very strenuous. Started training at the beginning of the year, It needs a lot of endurance to keep up.” Aneka talked about how demanding the sport can be.
While Visakha will look for the longer game with their endurance, Bishop’s College will bank on their superior swimming skill which has long been their strength.
“Training focused on swimming, that’s our strength.” a confident Bishop’s College captain Aneesah Fowzie remarked.
Season so far
Bishop’s College will be aching to have a go at Visakha after the latter gave a walkover to Bishop’s in the final of the National Age Group Championship last month citing a disagreement over the assignment of referees.
“Our first motive was to be unbeaten throughout the season. We started off winning with Age Group Championships. We are on track.” a determined Aneesah added.
Experienced opponents
Both sides are rich in experience with Visakha boasting as many as six national squad members while Bishop’s have four.
“This year unlike the other years it is a relatively new team and it took a lot of preparation to get used to the fast paced game.” Aneka added about the new faces that have come into the team.
“Winning the LC VV match last year was obviously was a boost for our confidence but we have always gone into the season as under dogs. We have a lot to learn and there were mistakes from last year we have improved on.” The non complacent Aneka stated.
For Bishop’s College it has been additions rather than departures to the squad which has 8 seniors.
“Fortunately for us it is the same team as last year with 8 seniors and three U15’s.”
“There are four national pool members including me (Aneesah Fowzie), Soraya (Wickramasekara), Minuri (De Silva) and Ashanthi (Sumanapala).”
All Thomian coaching battle
Two former Thomian teammates Dhanushka Seram and Dakshitha Thamanegama will be pitted against each other when the two sides meet.
Dakshitha took over the side mid season last year and guided them to an unbeaten season becoming National Champions.
“The girls have been training hard, well committed and are up for the challenge.”
“The strong point of this team is we don’t depend on two or three individuals to do the job. Everybody chips in equally and drags each teammate along even in harder times. They complement each other well.” a proud Dakshitha remarked about his team.
“We have especially trained for the shot clock and also there have been rule changes, so have been working on them as well in practices.” He added about the training.
While Dakshitha has been relatively new to the Visakha side current Sri Lanka Water Polo captain Dhanushka Seram has been with the Bishop’s team for seven long years and is described as the ‘epitome’ of commitment and dedication by Aneesah.
“He has been working hard with us really well. He guided the side to the National Championship in 2011 which is a great achievement. His commitment and dedication has taken us to where we are now and hopes he continues his good work.” Aneesah heaped praise on their coach.
The two coaches will be ably supported by another set of Old Thomians; experienced Yasiru Ranaraja will assist Dakshitha with Monarl Wanigasuriya assisting Dhanushka.
Bishop’s College U-19
Aneesah Fowzie – Captain
Thameesha Eliyapura – Vice Captain
Soraya Wickramasekara
Minuri De Silva
Ashanti Sumanapala
Radhini De Alwis
Aindri Morahela
Keshya Ranatunga
Devuni Abeygunawardene
Avasha Borham
Asini Molligoda
Bishop’s College U-15
Avasha Borham (captain)
Devuni Abeygunawardene
Asini Molligoda
Thohara Wijethileke
Yashera Radalgoda
Thasnim Satuk
Tahani Sathuk
Mirasha Borham
Ananya Perera
Shanaya Perera
Raadhiya Sallay
Yalindee Daluwatte
Ranuli Jayasinghe
Visakha Vidyalaya U-19
Aneka Abeywickrema – Captain
Nuwanthi Mannapperuma – Vice Captain
Samaakhya Gajanayake
Shaleena Peiris
Maneka Dedigama
Akshana Perera
Avishka Dedigama
Chamathi Perera
Tusari Ekanayake
Bulani Perera
Sanuri Trikawalagoda
Limashi Kosgodage
Nadishka Senanayake
Visakha Vidyalaya U-15
Bulani Perera – Captain
Binari Perera – Vice Captain
Damithri Munasinghe
Rashmi Jayasinghe
Janeesha Katuwapitiya
Nuravi Assalarachchi
Kavee Perera
Nirumi de Silva
Ayani Nagahawatte
Asini Kariyawasam
Januli de Soysa
Sayuri Dharmapriya
Savini Gunawardana
