Mahamaya Girls’ College Kandy triumphs in National School Games U20 Basketball

Members of the 2023 Under20 Basketball Team: Mahamaya Girls’ College Kandy comprises of Chithera Samarakoon (Captain), Vishmi Karunarathne (Vice captain), Chenuli Warnakulage, Kissalie Jayapala, Anuki De Silva, Buddhika Abeykoon, Nethmi Rupasinghe, Himara Wijerathne, Hirupama Chandrasekara, Inupama Wickramasena and Dayadi Ginige

The Famous Five

After 27 years Mahamaya Girls’ College Kandy Basketball team won the championship at National School Games 2023 by beating the team of Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya, which has been dominating this sport for more than five years. 

Mahamaya College was amongst the best three teams that were invited to participate in the tournament reaching the finals which was held at the Jaffna Hindu Central College grounds during the first week of this month.

The leading girls school of Kandy won the series with a 4 point lead, summing-up on the final score 36-32.

This championship was not just a one-night achievement; they went through lots of challenges since beating a strong team was a huge undertaking by itself. The school’s principal S. Senadheera played a major role in motivating the team by providing all necessary facilities and resources for the team to arrive at this winning point. Amongst many others are Coach Chamith Pushpakumara together with Panduka Rajasinghe and Sisil Udukumbura whose advice and guidance contributed in no small way for the Maha Maya netball team to achieve this feat, not forgetting the teacher in charge of this young girls’ team all through their stay during the tournament Chamila Siriweera.

The team went through many disciplinary exercises before every match towards improving their team bonding spirit and also a few meditating sessions which helped in preparing the team mentally as well.

The team comprises of five senior players who contributed in no small way towards achieving this great victory, namely Chithera Samarakoon, Anuki De Silva, Kissalie Jayapala, Vishmi Karunarathne and Chenuli Warnakulage who are considered and referred to as the “Famous 5” who overcame all challenges and managed to motivate and drive the rest of the team into winning this championship.

Mahamaya Girls College Kandy performed a similar feat In 1996 by winning the basketball championship trophy by beating a team who were also leaders in the sport at the time St. Joseph’s College Nugegoda which also brings into focus yet another aspect to this event being that Mahamaya College was able to bring the championship trophy back to the Central Province after a lapse of 27 years.