Sri Lanka will rely on their juniors to emulate the success of their senior relay team when the track and field governing body fields a 17-member team inclusive of four relay teams for the Asian Junior Athletics Championship which commences in Dubai on Wednesday.

The team captained by Ananda College sprinter Merone Wijesinghe and Nannapurawa MV jumper Madushani Herath left for Dubai yesterday.

Currently Sri Lanka is ranked 16thin the ‘Road to Olympics’ rankings in the men’s 4×400 metres relay. That position does not guaranty their ticket to Olympics. But the remarkable achievement has ignited interest among juniors. Sri Lanka Athletics has included a men’s 4×100 metres, men’s 4×400 metres, women’s 4×400 metres and a 4×400 metres mix relay teams which boost the interest created by the current senior team (men’s 4x400metres).

Sri Lanka did well at the last Asian Junior Championships with Asian Games medlallist Tharushi Karunaratne making her first major breakthrough at these championships. Tharushi Abisheka the youngest member in the current team is expected to emulate Karunaratne’s achievement when she competes in the 800 metres. Abisheka and Madhushani Herath who will compete in both the long jump and the triple jump are the only women’s athletes taking part in individual events.

Women’s team: Madhushani Herath (Captain – Long Jump, Triple Jump), Tharushi Abisheka (800m), Maheema Pravindi (4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Jithma Wijethunga (4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Charuni Pramudhika (4x400m), Nuhansa Kodituwakku (4x400m, 4x400m mixed).

Men’s team: Merone Wijesinghe (Captain – 100m, 4x100m (M), R.I. Vidhushan (4x100m), Dineth Weerarathna (4x100m), Malith K. Thamel (4x100m), Tharusha Mendis (High Jump), Dineth Anuhas (High Jump), Hasindu Nethsara (4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Shashintha Silva (4x400m), Ayomal Akalanka (400m Hurdles), Jathya Kirulu (4x400m, 4x400m mixed), Avishka Rajapaksha (4x400m, 4x400m mixed).

St. Joseph’s College, Darley Road showcased their strength in schools’ basketball by securing the All-Island Under-20 basketball championship. The final was worked off at Maradana on Sunday and the Joes held on to a thrlling three-point win over arch-rivals St. Peter’s College, Bambalapitiya.

Joes were overwhelming favourites to win the title having beaten defending champions D.S. Senanayake College in the semi-finals of the Colombo North Zone. They overcame Ananda College in the finals of the Zonals.

Then in the ‘A’ Division, they overcame Trinity College, Kandy and Asian International School. The quarter-final was a rematch of the Zonal finals and Joes cruised to a comfortable win over Ananda.

Wesley College proved to be not much of a match in the semi-final, which St. Joseph’s won 94-57.

In the final, however, Joes were really tested. They managed a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter and at half-time extended the lead to seven points.

St. Peter’s bounced back after the break scoring 12 points in the third quarter and held Joes to nine points.

It turned out to be a nail-biting encounter with St. Joseph’s winning 59-56.

Methika Jayasinghe was declared the Most Valuable Player in the final. He scored 19 points and was well backed up by Abhaya Gajamange, who finished with 17 points. He was also named the Best Defensive Player.

Joes are coached by former Sri Lanka captain Roshan Randima and he’s assisted by Shane Daniel. The same pair two days ago guided Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya to the All Island ‘A’ Division girls’ title.

Since the year 2001, St. Joseph’s have been a strong force in local basketball winning multiple titles and they have been rarely tested by rest of the teams. They have been well coached by the combination of Roshan Shane.

Young batting sensation Kamindu Mendis tied the knot yesterday marrying his childhood sweetheart Nishni. The wedding took place at Jetwing Lighthouse in Galle. Both Kamindu and Nishni are from Galle.