SLNF pick 18-member squad targeting Asian Tourney

Action from the Sri Lanka - Hongkong match at the last Asian Netball Championship   

By Susil Premalal   
The Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF) have named an 18-member squad targeting next year’s 13th Asian Netball Championship, following the first selection trial performance held at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.   
The squad includes a few stars who represented the country at the Asian Championships (2022) and at the Netball World Cup (2023) in addition to a couple of promising young and new players.   

Veteran coach P. D. N. Prasadi has been appointed Head Coach of the National Netball Squad and the national pool training is set to commence before January 15.   
Meanwhile, 45-year-old Tharjini Sivalingam, who has played a leading role in Sri Lanka’s success at the Asian Championships over the years, was not considered for selection as the six feet and nine inches tall player has already announced her retirement from the game with a unique record of having served the nation for a long period.   
Tharjini also became the only Sri Lankan netball player to represent the country until she turned 45.   
Tharjini won the Best Asia Shooter Awards in 2009 and 2012 and was named as the World’s Best Shooter in 2011 in addition to several other international awards.   
Her absence from the squad is set to create a huge vacuum in Sri Lanka’s campaign for the 2024 Asian Netball Championship.   
Meanwhile, Singapore Netball are yet to announce the 2024 host nation for the Asian Championship while the SLNF have already shown their keenness to organise the event.   
Sri Lanka has the record for having won the Asian Netball Championship on more occasions than any other nation having emerged champions in 1989, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2018 and 2022 respectively.   
In addition, Sri Lanka had the honour of becoming the host for the tournament in 2001 and 2012.   
The Sri Lanka Netball Squad: Semini Alwis, Gayani Dissanayake, Hasitha Mendis, Dulangi Wannithilake, Gayanjali Amarawansa, Bhashini de Silva, Rashmi Perera, Imasha Perera, Shanika Perera, Rukshala Hapuarachchi, Susima Bandara, Rashmi Devyanjli, Gayathri Kaushalya, Hansima Dissanayaka, Sachini Rodrigo, Umayangana Dilshani, Samindi Rasangi and Reshini Sasadara.