Sri Lanka youth athletics team target 4-5 medals

5th Asian Youth (U-18) Athletic Championship 2023

 Sri Lanka Youth Athletics team

By Susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka youth athletics team left for Uzbekistan today for the 5th Asian Youth (U-18) Athletic Championship 2023. The tournament, conducted by the Asian Athletic Association (AAA), is scheduled to be held from April 27–30 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The Sri Lankan team, consisting of five male and two female athletes, includes several athletes who won medals at the last championship in Kuwait in 2022, and hence Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) says that they expect to win medals this year as well.

According to AAA and the Uzbekistan Athletic Association, almost 1,000 athletes from 30 countries will be competing in this tournament.

Sri Lanka has won 14 medals in total in the history of the championships from 2015 to 2022, comprising one gold, nine silver, and four bronze, including three silver and two bronze medals at the last championship.

Sri Lanka Youth Athletic Squad:

Boys: Nilupul Thenuja (Vijitha MMV, Dikwella - High Jump), Lesandu Arthavidu (D.S. Senanayake College, Colombo - High Jump), Ayomal Akalanka (Ambagamuwa MMV, Ambagamuwa - 400m hurdle), Thushen Malindarathne Silva (Maris Stella College, Negombo - Pole Vault) and Jathya Kirulu (Mahinda College, Galle - 400m)
Girls: Kasuni Nirmali Wickramasinghe (Wickramabahu NS, Gampola - 800m) and Dulanjana Pradeepani Wickramasinghe (Wickramabahu NS, Gampola - 1500m)
Officials: Chandana Ekanayaka (Team Leader), Buddika Madusanka (Coach) and Poornima Weerakoon (Lady Chaperone)