Air Force Open Squash Championship 2024

From left : Women’s Champion Anjali Semwal, Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, and Sri Lanka Squash Vice President Group Captain Eranda Geeganage

From left : Mens champion Shamil Wakeel, Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, and Sri Lanka Squash Vice President Group Captain Eranda Geeganage

By Shamseer Jaleel 

The 16th Air Force Open Professional Squash Association (PSA) Squash Championship 2024 concluded recently at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Ratmalana, with the Boys’ and Girls’ events showcasing intense competition.

The occasion was graced by Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, and President of Sri Lanka Squash Dhammika Wijesundara. Over 450 players both locally and overseas featured in this year’s colorful tournament.

Shamil Wakeel delivered an exceptional performance to claiming victory in the Men’s Open segment defeating Methmal Wood in a competitive final. Demonstrating remarkable skill and dominance, Shamil secured the championship title with a decisive 3-0 victory.

In the Women’s Open final, Indian player Anjali Semwal was in outstanding form and skill and determination to secure the championship title. In a closely contested match, she overcame former standout squash champion Chanithma Sinaly, representing Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, with a hard-fought 3-2.

Girls’ Under 11 Novices

• Winner – Ava Kaira Gabrial (Asian International School)
• Runner Up – Elina Saneli Wekunagoda (Visakha Vidyalaya)
• 3rd Place –  Senaya Sahansi Rangajeewa

Boys’ Under 11 Novices

• Winner – Joel Fernando (St. Joseph College Colombo 10)  
• Runner Up – Ishuka Aken (DS Senanayake Vidyalaya)
• 3rd Place – L. G.  Vinuda Saven Perera (DS Senanayake Vidyalaya)

Girls’ Under 15 Novices 

• Winner – Thisuli Ellewela (Musaeus College Colombo)
• Runner Up – Chanulya Desandi  (Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidayalaya)
• 3rd Place  – Chanumi Ganegoda (Anula Vidyalaya)

Boys’ Under 15 Novices

• Winner – Sanon Jesunesan
• Runner Up – Ramithu Neththaru Amarasinghe (Mahanama College)
• 3rd Place – Y.Z.  Ishaq (Royal College Colombo)

Men’s Novices 

• Winner – Leading Aircraftman Sandakalum WMNL (Sri Lanka Air Force)
• Runner Up – G.N.R.  Suraweera (Sri Lanka Army)
• 3rd Place – Squadron Leader Kalpa Sriyarathna (Sri Lanka Air Force)

Girls’ Under 9

• Winner – G.W.P. Siyathi Sawethna Gunathilaka (Visakha Vidyalaya)
• Runner Up – L.K. Yalithi Perera (Visakka Vidyalaya)
• 3rd Place – Sanuli Yahansa Godagampala (Sumeda Vidyalaya Gampaha)

Boys’ Under 9 

• Winner – Jenuka Pethmika Perusinghe (Mahanama College)
• Runner Up – Sayul Thehas Wickrama (Sumeda Vidyalaya Gampaha)
• 3rd Place – Anuk Apoorva Perera (Gateway College Colombo)

Girls’ Under 11

• Winner – Livini Jayawardane (Visakha Vidyalaya)
• Runner Up – Nethanya Chatline Wickramasinghe (Ladies’ College Colombo)
• 3rd Place – Thinalee Daswatte (Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidayalaya)

Boys Under 11 

• Winner – Ranuk Mendis (Gateway College Colombo)
• Runner Up – Kenol Mayon Wickrama (Sumedha Vidyalaya Gampaha)
• 3rd place – W.P. Kenula Hirusara (D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya)

Girls’ Under 13 

• Winner – Chanumi Nimanthara Thebuwena (Gateway College Colombo)
• Runner Up – V.S. Dinethma Mihely (Sirimawo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya)
• 3rd Place  – Nethuki Nulara Herath (Sirimawo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya)

Boys Under 13

• Winner – Nevan Rubasinghe  (Royal College Colombo)
• Runner Up – Danuja Sethsara Jayasinghe (Ananda Saththralaya Kotte)
• 3rd Place – Haashid Ameer Noorden (Louvre College Pannipitiya)

Girls’ Under 15 

• Winner – Ifra Shashmin Booso (St. Paul’s Girls School Milagiriya)
• Runner Up – Sithumli Ruhansa Mendis (Gateway College Colombo)
• 3rd Place – Chanumi Nimanthara Thebuwana (Gateway College Colombo)

Boys’ Under 15 

• Winner – Manuth Sandira Dassanayake (Gateway College Colombo)
• Runner Up – K. Linuka Silva (DS Senanayake College)
• 3rd Place – Nevan Rubasinghe (Royal College Colombo)

Girls’ Under 17 

• Winner – Nethmi Hiranya WickramaSinghe (Ladies’ College Colombo)
• Runner Up – Ifra Shasmin Booso (St. Paul’s Girls School Milagiriya)
• 3rd Place – Sithuli Ruhansa MEndis (Gateway College Colombo)

Boys’ Under 17

• Winner – Matheesha Wijesekara (Royal College Colombo)
• Runner up – Tharul Pinwatta (Royal College Colombo)
• 3rd Place – Manuth Sandira Dasanayake (Gateway College Colombo)

Girls’ Under 19

• Winner – Adhithi Gunasekara (Ladies’ College Colombo)
• Runner Up – Ranliya Wood (Lindsay Balika Vidayalaya )
• 3rd Place – Akeesa Dahamdi Smaranayake (Sirimawo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya)

Boys’ Under 19

• Winner – Matheesha Wijesekara (Royal College Colombo)
• Runner Up – Tharul Pinwatta (Royal College Colombo)
• 3rd Place – Mohammed Rilwan (St. Joseph College Colombo 10)  

Men’s Over 35

• Winner – Corporal DE Silva HAS (Sri Lanka Air Force)
• Runner up  – Corporal Methsiri HWGM (Sri Lanka Air Force)
• 3rd place – Amila Priyantha (Sri Lanka Navy)

Men’s Over 40

• Winner – Ravee Fernado
• Runner Up – Madurange Rajapaksa
• 3rd Place – Petty Officer (PTI) Priyadarshana (Sri Lanka Navy)

Men’s Over 45

• Winner – U. Nishantha
• Runner Up – Wing Commander Satinder Singh Dhankar  (Indian Air Force)
• 3rd Place – Srihan Fernando

Veteran Over 50

• Winner – Abdul Cader
• Runner Up – Chaminda Talagala
• 3rd Place – Mevan Rajeev

Vetaran Over 55

• Winner – Abdul Cader
• Runner Up – Air Commodore Upali Wijesekara (Retd) (Sri Lanka Air Force)
• 3rd Place – Mohomad Azmi

Mens’ Plate

• Winner – Leading Aircraftman Ushaman MAM (Sri Lanka Air Force)
• Runner Up – Dumidu Talwatta

Women’s Open 

• Winner – Anjali Semwal (India)
• Runner Up – Chanithma Sinaly (Sirimawo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya)
• 3rd Place – Yeheni Kuruppu

Men’s Open

• Winner – Shamil Wakeel
• Runner Up – Methmal Wood
• 3rd Place – Aryan Prathap Singh (Indian Air Force)