The Dialog netball Rising Star tournament held at the Torrington ground has given rise to new talent that will likely be given a place in the national pool.
“We should recognize their skills and guide them to become champions of tomorrow in international courts. The selection committee saw their talents during this under-23 tournament that was won by Western Province who defeated North Western Province 23-9. We were also able to spot the talented coaches that will be beneficial in the future,” said Victoria Lakshmi the president of the Netball Federation of Sri Lanka.
Over 150 players from nine teams from the nine provinces competed for supremacy in this tournament that was sponsored by Dialog Axiata. The preliminary round was played on a league basis before the quarter-finals.
Sri Lanka has the potential to perform well beyond the Asian circuit with the new crop of talented players who have been training for the past few years.
The Sri Lanka team has made steady progress during the past few years and improved on the rankings to be 18th in the world and first in Asia.
Meanwhile, the captain of the champion Western Province team Chamudi Dilrukshi said that this tournament gave them the opportunity to display their skills despite being restricted in their practices.
Skipper of the runner-up team North Western Province Chandumini Gayanthika said that they offered stiff competition during this tournament while adding that the experience was more important than winning.
The new national pool is already training under coach Somitha de Alwis and her assistant PDN Prasadi.