Sports
Lahiru among top medal prospects as Asian Youth Games commence
Asian Youth Championship medallist Lahiru Achintha and sprinters vying for honours in the relays are among the brightest medal prospects for Sri Lanka when the track and field action of the Asian Youth Games commences in Bahrain today.
Achintha of St. Aloysius’ College, Rathnapura has a personal best of 3:53.05 seconds in the 1500m. Apart from his Japanese counterparts he is the fastest in the distance in Asia among athletes born in 2009 going by the World Athletics recognized performances this year.
He is selected to compete in both the 1,500m and 3,000 metres.
Sri Lanka also has bright medal prospects in the girls’ and boys’ medley relays.
A team of 13 boys and eight girls are set to compete in track and field events.
The athletes, their schools and events tthey aking part are as follows.
Boys:
Shanuka Costa (400m, Medley Relay – Gateway College, Colombo)
Nathan Willaddara (800m – Rahula College, Matara)
Lahiru Achintha (1500m, 3000m – St. Aloysius’ College, Rathnapura)
Kisal Gagandara (110m Hurdles – Kularatne MV, Godakawela)
Methuka Malhiru (400m Hurdles – Ananda Sastralaya, Kotte)
Chirantha Deshan (2000m Steeplechase – Ginigathhena MV)
Rusith Nimsara (Long Jump – St. Servatius’ College, Matara)
Savindu Sudharaka (Triple Jump – Kahawatta MV)
Chathura Jayathissa (Javelin Throw – Weera Parakrama MV Yatawaththa)
Vishal Fernando (Medley Relay – St. Joseph Vaz’s College Wennappuwa)
Bigumina Senavirathne (Medley Relay- Ananda Sastralaya, Matugama)
Loshana de Silva (Medley Relay- Holy Cross College, Kalutara)
Chamindu Sathsara (Medley Relay- Dudley Senanayake College, Tholangamuwa)
Girls:
Tharani Nirmina (100m, 200m, Medley Relay – Holy Cross College, Gampaha)
Chenadi Dewhara (400m, Medley Relay – Gamini NS, Bentota)
Nethmi Gimhani (800m, 1500m – St. Andrew’s College, Puttlam)
Chamalsha Dewmini (100m Hurdles – Welimada Central)
Amaya Peduru Hewa (400m Hurdles – Devapathiraja College Rathgama)
Dilni Rajapaksha (Long Jump, Triple Jump – Lyceum Inyernational Wattala)
Kaushalya Jayawardhana (Medley Relay – Lyceum Inyernational Wattala)
Movindi Wansanayaka (Medley Relay – Maliyadewa Balika)
by Reemus Fernando
Gaby Lewis has been rested for Ireland’s upcoming T20I tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies at home in Clontarf as she recovers from a recent leg injury but has been named captain – for the first time at a global event – for the T20 World Cup in June-July in England.
Orla Prendergast, the vice-captain for the World Cup, will lead the side in the tri-series in Lewis’ absence. No vice-captain has been named for the tri-series.
In terms of ins and outs, Jane Maguire, the right-arm medium pacer, has been ruled out of contention with an injury, but her sister Aimee Maguire, the left-arm orthodox spinner, has returned from her own injury and has been included in both squads. Apart from the missing Lewis, there are no changes from the squad for the tri-series, which is a 14-member line-up, for the World Cup.
At the T20 World Cup, Ireland have been grouped with tournament hosts England, defending champions New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka and past winners West Indies.
Ireland are ranked ninth in the format, ahead of only Scotland (11th) among the teams in their group, and will start their World Cup campaign on the second day of competition, against Scotland in Manchester.
Ireland were most recently in action at the T20 World Cup qualifiers played in Nepal in January-February this year, and finished second to Bangladesh.
Lewis’ fitness will be key for Ireland at the World Cup, with her being their top-ranked batter, currently at joint-14th on the ICC T20I rankings. She was also the top run getter at the qualifiers with 276 runs in seven innings, scoring her runs at a strike rate of 119.48.
Prendergast is the next best at No. 26, followed by Amy Hunter at No. 29. Prendergast is also the seventh-ranked allrounder in women’s T20Is.
Ireland squad for women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland squad for tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
[Cricinfo]
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has issued a statement approving the members nominated for the new Selection Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
The appointments have been made by the Sports Minister in accordance with the powers vested under Section 39 (1) of the Sports Law No. 25 of 1973 and the Extraordinary Gazette Notification No. 2437/24 dated May 21, 2025.
The members of the new selection committee are:
Kapila Wijegunawardena – Chairman
Amal Silva – Member
Brendon Kuruppu – Member
Waruna Waragoda – Member
Vanessa De Silva – Member
PM meets academic experts from the British Council
Gaby Lewis to lead Ireland at T20 World Cup
PM meets Sri Lankan community living in London
Kapila Wijegunawardena to head SLC’s new selection committee
Afghanistan refugee women’s team set for England tour under ECB initiative
DR Congo cancels World Cup training camp over Ebola outbreak
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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