Naveen to lead Sri Lanka

By Shamseer Jaleel

Former Thomian skipper, CH & FC and Sri Lanka sevens player Naveen Henakankanamge was appointed as the skipper of the Sri Lanka Under 20 Rugby Sevens team for the Asia Rugby Under 20 Sevens Series, which will take place on 10 and 11 August at Kings Park Sports Club ground in Hong Kong.

Henakankanamge led the Under 20 outfit last year as well, ending as the runner-up team to Hong Kong.

Seventeen players were named, with the touring squad of 12, plus 3 non-touring stand-bys will be named this weekend. Former Sri Lanka Sevens Head Coach Nilfer Ibrahim will handle the side with Fazil Marija as his deputy.

Henakankanamge, speaking to Daily FT, said: “I am proud to lead the side once again. Last year we were the losing finalist to Hong Kong. This year, we have an experienced side, so we are planning to correct our errors, and win this event. Group matches are relatively easy, but round two will be tough, with Hong Kong or South Korea possibly coming our way to block us in the semi-final encounter.”

Sri Lanka Under 20 Rugby Sevens squad:

Naveen Henakankanamage (St Thomas /CH & FC), Dinuk Amarasinghe (St Anthony’s/Havelocks SC), Harith Bandara (Isipathana/CR & FC), Avishka Lee (Wesley/CH & FC), Randy Silva (Isipathana/Havelocks SC), Theekshana Dasanayake (St Peter’s), Chathura Senavirathna (St. Joseph’s/ Navy SC), Gihan Perera (St. Joseph’s/Navy SC), Diluksha Dange (Trinity/Kandy SC), Heshan Jansen (Kingswood/Kandy SC), Thulaib Hassen (Royal), Janidu Dilshan (Royal), Gemunu Chethiya (St Joseph’s), Keshan Kavinda (St. Joseph’s), Manula Rathnayake (Isipathana), Murshid Zubair (Wesley), Chamod Fernando (Isipathana/CR)

Head Coach: Nilfer Ibrahim

Assistant Coach: Fazil Marija

Men’s

Pool A       Hong Kong, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia

Pool B       Sri Lanka, Taipei, Singapore, China