Sri Lanka will meet host South Korea in their opening game of the Asian Junior Netball Championship today after an opening ceremony yesterday.
“My team is ready to take up the challenge and we will take this tournament match by match,” said coach Amalka Gunatilleka who was also the coach of the champion Holy Family Convent Kurunegala team.
“South Korea has the home advantage but my team is very confident ahead of this game.
“Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong have strong sides but we will also never underestimate other teams”.
The players had a good workout before leaving the island in practice matches against the Sri Lanka senior team at the Gateway International School courts at Rajagiriya.
Sri Lanka ended in third place the last time and the top three teams will qualify for the World Junior Netball Championship which will be held in New Zealand next year.
Sashika Samarasinghe the former Sri Lanka skipper is the assistant coach while Vajira Pushpakumari, also and ex-Sri Lanka player is the manager and the team doctor is the Sports Medical Unit’s Dr Shiromi Pilapitiya.
Sri Lanka’s junior netball team comprises Sajini Ratnayake (captain), Indusha Perera, Neesha Shalani, Sarah Pieris, Bashini Udagedara, Dilmi Wijenayake, Minagi Kankanige,Timmy Gamage, Nethmi Wijenayake, Nethanga Gunaratne, Jinali Balasooriya and Ranindu Perera with Amalka Gunatilleka (head coach ), Shashika Samarasinghe (assist coach ), Vajira Pushpakumari (manager ) and Dr. Shiromi Pilapitiya with Netball Federation president Victoria Lakshmi