Sri Lanka national squash teams off to Malaysia

20th Asian Team Squash Championship

Sri Lankan senior national squash teams took wing to Malaysia to participate in the 20th Asian Squash Team Championships to be held from November 30 to December 4.

The women’s event will be taken part by eight teams while 13 teams will compete in the men’s event. The country’s men’s team will be represented by Ravindu Laksiri, Shamil Wakeel, Methmal Wood and Sheriff Hakeem while Fathoum Issadeen, Yeheni Kuruppu, Chanithma Sinaly and Dewmini Gallage form the women’s team.

Much is expected from current national champion Ravindu Laksiri and number two Shamil Wakeel. Ravindu Laksiri, current national champion and holder of the title for eight consecutive years is the most experienced campaigner along with Shamil Wakeel. Methmal Wood is making his debut in the senior national team.

Ravindu first excelled at international level when he was placed fifth at the Youth Asian Games while being a junior. Shamil Wakeel won a bronze medal under at an Asian Junior Championship. The men’s team will have to battle it out against Malaysia, Hong Kong, Iran, Korea and Singapore in the league stage.

Women’s national champion Fathoum Issadeen and Junior National champion Yeheni Kuruppu will hold the keys to success in the women’s competition, while Chanithma Sinaly and Dewmini Gallage are also expected to chip in with their experience.

The women’s team will have to battle it out with Hong Kong, Japan and Korea in the league stage.

Eranga Alwis, the secretary of Sri Lanka Squash will take up the reasonability as the team manager.

Gihan Suwaris, and Naduni Gunawardena will be in charge as coaches. Both Gihan and Naduni are former number one ranked national players and World Squash Federation level two qualified coaches. Gihan is currently working at Nations Trust Bank while Naduni is currently serving as a lecturer at University of Sri Jayawardenapura. .

Although not on tour Ashan Gamlath a renowned physical fitness expert is the trainer of the team.