The swimming and diving squads of Sri Lanka Aquatics took the wing on 24 February to New Clark City in Capas, Philippines for the 11th Asian Age Group Aquatic Championships organised by Asia Aquatics from 26 February – 9 March.
This major competition is a platform for young aquatic athletes from Asian countries to showcase their skills and compete against their peers in various age categories.
The competition aims to promote the development of aquatic sports talent in Asia and provide a competitive environment for athletes from swimming, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming to gain experience and improve their performance. It also serves as a qualifying event for major international competitions such as the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
The Asian Age Group Aquatic Championships is organised in different age categories, ranging from 12-14, 15-17, 18 and over with separate divisions for boys and girls.
The swimming events will run from the 26– 29 February.
Sri Lanka swimming team
- Sandev Senarathne – Men’s Captain
- Minagi Rupasinghe – Women’s Captain
- Seneshi Herath – Fmr. Visakha
- Anjali Agalawatta – Fmr. St. Bridget’s
- Amaan Hamidon – Fmr. Wesley
- Manuja Gamage, Kaveesha Silva, Nethula Dabare, Hiran Natheesha (Ananda College)
- Aneeka Sumanathilake, Denial Robin (Ladies’ College)
- Poojani Rathnayake (Visakha Vidyalaya)
- Linara Gunasekara, Tevindee Methlini, Navanjana Siriwardhana, Yonal De Silva, Yunaya Perera, Dilushi Dilshara (Lyceum Wattala)
- Nabhashie Perera – Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya
- Kaitlyn De Zilwa – Stafford International
- Jessie Senevirathne – Holy Family Convent
- Christina Perumal, Nikhileshwaran Kumaraguru (Asian International School)
- Amaiah Rassool – St. Bridget’s Convent
- Chanudi Kumarapperuma, Binura Talagala (Lyceum, Nugegoda)
- Yashith Wijesundara – D.S. Senanayake College
- Muhammad Mohamed Fidhyan – Zahira College
- Adeetha Siriwardena – Wesley College
- Okitha Gunasekara – Elizabeth Moir School
- Muhammad Haathim, Qaid Farook, Evin Weerasinghe (St. Peter's College)
- Lithum De Silva - Lyceum, Panadura
- Vandani Fernando – Kalutara Balika Vidyalaya
- Sasha Rajapakse – Colombo International School
- Ginuki De Silva – Leeds International, Panadura
- Lehara Melegoda – Anula Vidyalaya
- Anusara Abeygoonawardena – Wycherley International
- Sheraya Amarasekara
- Ilan Guansekara
- Shehaan Dias – Head Coach
- Kaushal Manawadu – Coach
- Rajith Fernando – Coach
- Prasad Janaka – Coach
- Rupika Damayanthi – Lady Chaperone
The diving events will run from 26 February – 1 March.
Sri Lanka diving team
- Kithmi Marambe (Captain), Sineli Weerakoon (Bishop's College)
- Seniru Rodrigo, Venuka Kankanamge, Yusuf Shihar, Mikhail Jayaweera, Ruel Wickramaratne, Daham Marambe (Royal College)
- Kisara Ranawaka, Manudi Gunarathna, Dilshi Fernando (St. Bridget’s Convent)
- Akeesa Hewawitharana – Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya
- Prasad Dissanayaka – Coach
- Anton Manual – Official
- Dr. Ghefari Dulapandan – Manager
The Sri Lankan artistic swimming and water polo teams will fly to New Clark City on the 29 February.
The Artistic Swimming competition will run from 3 – 6 March.
Sri Lanka artistic swimming team
- Amara Watson Kittle, Ayla Watson Kittle, Andrea Thirukumar, Nischka Nanayakara – (Ladies’ College)
- Manekha Gomez, Piyushi Kualasekera – Visakha Vidyalaya
- Shasheni Fernando, Sandali Sumathipala – Musaeus College
- Satvi Arjuna – Colombo International School
- Sanuki Suraweera – Elizabeth Moir School
- Nayana Katipearachchi – Manager
- Dehara Katipearachchi – Head Coach
- Tanalia Rekawa – Assistant Coach
The water polo tournament will commence on 3 March and will run till 9 March.
Sri Lanka water polo team
- Sinali Ratnayake, Aashi Perera, Imaaya Perera, Dulmi Dias, Selina Silva - (Bishop’s College)
- Poojani Wijesinghe, Rohansa Vidyarathne, Arani Dorabawila, Ruwanya Dadagamuwa, Mehansa Jayarathne – (Visakha Vidyalaya)
- Sithaarah Zuhair, Treasa Adams, Chrishael Robin, Tharuki Kalansooriya, Rahell Dias – (Ladies’ College)
- Anuga Handunpathirana, Bihandu Katugampala, Lithum Karunasena, Vinuda Somakeerthi, Dinal Wellappili, Saahil de Silva
- Abiru Galaboda – S. Thomas’ College
- Yasodha Wasalage – Coach
- Keshan Munasinghe – Coach
- Sachitha Jayatilake – Coach
- Thisaru Perera – Lady Chaperone
(The writer is a national diver/swimmer, member of the National Record Holding 4×100m Mixed Medley Relay and a two-time South Asian bronze medalist)