Sri Lanka confident of retaining Asian Netball title, says Prasadi

We are aiming to defend Asia Cup title at the 13th Asia Cup Netball Championship, from October 18 to 27 in Bangalore, India said National Netball coach P.D.N Prasadi in an exclusive interview with the Daily News before the team departure yesterday. Our first target is to enter the final and defend the title and all players having good mentally and physical fitness to play in this Asia Cup added coach Prasadi who is doing National coach role for first time for this Asia Cup.

If Sri Lanka wins, they will make history with their third consecutive Asia Cup victory, having won in 2018 and 2022. Sri Lanka holds the record for the most Asia Cup titles, with six wins: in 1989, 1997, 2001, 2009, 2018, and 2022. As the defending champions my team is very confident but we are going to take match by match said Coach Prasadi who wasa former National skipper having previous experience of the champion Asia Cup team.

I think we got best team for this Asia Cup and they had good pre preparation despite lacking International match exposure but players are not concerned and are focused on Asia Cup.Most of the players had early International experience and they always guide youngsters to come forward she said.

The head coach Prasadi, who led the team to win the 1997 Asia Cup, said teams like Singapore (three time champions 2005, 2012, 2014), Malaysia (two times champions 1985, 2016), and Hong Kong (1993 champions) will be strong opponents, but Sri Lanka is focused on retaining the title. For the first time 14 teams divided in to two groups will battle for the Asia Cup.

Five National players are making their Asia Cup debut this year but skipper Dulanigi Wannitilleka,Gayanjali Amarawansa and Gayani Dissanayake the two former skippers and Hasitha Mendis having previous Asia Cup experience which gave much needed boost to the team. . Former Vishakian Thisala Algama will play as Goal Shooter, replacing Tharjini Sivalingam and team is confident about Thisala Algama.

Actually three top players Gayanjali in Center court ,Gayani in defence area and skipper Dulanigi in attacking area and this is good combination to give support to goal shooter Thisala and they can challenge any time. I have plan to give all players a chance to play according to the opponent team strength with first match against Philippines on 19th followed by other group matches Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia ,Japan and Maldives. Malaysia is the toughest team said coach Prasadi.

Before this tour Sport Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya the Prime Minister gave her blessings and motivateD the team which is a big boost to the team while the Sports Direct General Prof Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando who is the Competent Authority for Netball gave good support through Sports Ministry said Prasadi.

Asian Netball championships teams:

Group A – Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Philippines, Japan ,Maldives ,India ,Saudi Arabia

Group B – Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong,Brunei, Bahrain,Iraq and Chinese Taipe

The Sri Lanka Netball Squad:

Dulangi Wannithilaka (Caption), Gayanjalee Amarawansa, Gayani Dissanayaka,Thishala Algama, Hasitha Mendis, Rashmi Perera, Shanika Perera, Gayathri Kaushalya, Malmi Hettiarachchi, Suseema Bandara, Sachini Rodrigo and Chalani Neesha. P.D.N Prasadi (coach), Padmini Horanage (Manager)

Source: Daily News