A stiff final-quarter resistance from Malaysia was seen off by the mighty Lankan lasses as they recorded their fourth consecutive victory at the 11
th Asian Netball Championship, now being held at the OCBC Arena, Singapore.
Sri Lanka is coached by Thilaka Jinadasa of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation. Sri Lanka played practice matches in Malawi before their Asia Cup campaign, which boosted their morale to top level. Nalaka Hewamadduma trained the Lankan team on psychological aspects of the game.
Jinada said before their departure to Singapore that their preparations have been extremely satisfactory and, due to their improved physical fitness level, they were going to give a good run in the Championship this time. Sri Lanka were the runners-up last time when the Championship was held in Thailand, in 2016.
2018 Asian Netball Championship
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Preliminary Round
| Group A |
Group B |
Group C |
Group D |
| Malaysia |
Sri Lanka |
Singapore |
Hong Kong |
| Japan |
Chinese Taipei |
Brunei |
Thailand |
| Maldives |
India |
Pakistan |
Philippines |
Results of SL so far:
Group Stage -
1 September – SL beat Chinese Taipei 137-5
2 September – SL beat India 101-29
2nd Round Groups (Group E consists of leading teams)
| Group E |
Group F |
Group G |
| A1: Malaysia |
A2: Japan |
A3: Maldives |
| B1: Sri Lanka |
B2: India |
B3: Chinese Taipei |
| C1: Singapore |
C2: Brunei |
C3: Pakistan |
| D1: Hong Kong |
D2: Thailand |
D3: Philippines |
2nd round –
4 September – SL beat Singapore 74-61
5 September – SL beat Malaysia 62-59
Thursday, 6 September Schedule -
SL vs. Hong Kong at 5 p.m. Singapore time (2.30 p.m. SL time)
Semi-finals -
Saturday, 8 September –
12.30 p.m. SL time – 1
st of Group ‘E’ vs. 4
th of Group ‘E’
2.30 p.m. SL time – 2
nd of Group ‘E’ vs. 3
rd of Group ‘E’
Final -
Sunday, 9 September -
At 1.30 p.m. SL time
3 p.m. SL time - Closing Ceremony
History of Netball Asiad & SL’s dominance –
* This is the 11
th edition of the Asian Netball Championship which is now held every two years.
* It was inaugurated in 1985 in Malaysia. Until 2009, it was held every four years and since then it has been mostly held every two years.
* The top team in Asia is Sri Lanka, having won the Asian Netball Championships four times; 1989 in India, 1997 in Singapore, 2001 in Colombo and 2009 in Malaysia. They have been the runner-up four times, in 1985, 2012, 2014 and 2016. Sri Lanka has finished among top three in all ten occasions the Championship has been held.
* Singapore has won the title three times and are the reigning Asian netball champions.
* The fifth Asian Netball Championships was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2001. The final was won by one goal, by Sri Lanka over Singapore. Sri Lanka hosted the Championship in 2012 too and became runner-up to Singapore that time.
Asian Netball Championship Results So Far:
| Year |
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
Venue |
Number of teams |
| 1985 |
Malaysia |
Sri Lanka |
Singapore |
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
5 |
| 1989 |
Sri Lanka |
Singapore |
Malaysia |
New Delhi, India |
4 |
| 1993 |
Hong Kong |
Singapore |
Sri Lanka |
Hong Kong |
5 |
| 1997 |
Sri Lanka |
Malaysia |
Singapore |
Singapore |
5 |
| 2001 |
Sri Lanka |
Singapore |
Malaysia |
Colombo, Sri Lanka |
8 |
| 2005 |
Singapore |
Malaysia |
Sri Lanka |
Toa Payoh Sports Hall, Singapore |
7 |
| 2009 |
Sri Lanka |
Singapore |
Malaysia |
Juara Stadium, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
9 |
| 2012 |
Singapore |
Sri Lanka |
Malaysia |
Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka |
10 |
| 2014 |
Singapore |
Sri Lanka |
Malaysia |
Singapore Sports Hub OCBC Arena, Singapore |
10 |
| 2016 |
Malaysia |
Sri Lanka |
Singapore |
Thailand |
9 |
* The photo shows Sri Lanka captain Tharjini Sivalingam
