Sajini Rathnayaka of HNB selected as captain of Sri Lanka Youth netball team

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF) has selected Sajini Rathnayaka of Hatton National Bank as captain of the Sri Lanka team that will participate in the 12th Asian Youth Netball Championship 2023.  

This tournament, conducted by the Asian Netball Federation, is scheduled to be held on June 10-17 in South Korea.  

Sajini Rathnayaka is an emerging player who has represented the Holy Family Convent, Kurunegala netball team.  

SLNF President Lakshmi Victoria said that Nethmi Wijenayaka of Musaeus College Colombo, has been named as the vice-captain of the team.  
The Sri Lanka team for the Asian youth netball championship has been approved by the Sports Minister and is scheduled to leave for South Korea on June 6.  
The Ministry of Sports has taken steps to provide a sum of eight million rupees for air ticket and accommodation required for the tour.  

SLNF President Lakshmi Victoria added that participation in this year’s Asian Netball Youth Championship is important for Sri Lanka and the teams that win the first, second and third places in this tournament will qualify for the 2025 World Youth Netball Championship.  

Sri Lanka has won the Asian youth netball championship three times in 1998, 2002 and 2015.  

Twelve countries are scheduled to participate in this year’s Asian Youth Championship.  

Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Japan and Maldives will compete in Group ‘A’ while Sri Lanka, Singapore, Brunei, Taiwan, Pakistan and hosts South Korea will compete in Group ‘B’.