Royal College and Bishop’s College arose as junior champions in the National Age Group Water Polo League Tournament, which was organised by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and held at the Air Force Swimming Pool Complex in Ratmalana recently.
Royal College’s Under-15 team, led by their captain Ramidu Aluthge, shined by clinching the junior boys’ title. The team, which included 13 players, displayed excellent teamwork and strategy throughout the tournament. Particularly, twin brothers Thasith and Thusith Liyanage, along with Janek Pereira, played key roles in both the Under-15 and Under-13 teams, causal significantly to their victories.
The success of Royal College’s water polo programme can be attributed to the guidance of Head Coach Yashodha Wasalage, who has been instrumental in developing the skills of these young athletes. He was ably supported by Assistant Coaches Omira Lokuge and Chandula Fernando, while Kanishka Heenkenda took charge of coaching the Under-13 team. Their joint efforts ensured that Royal College’s young water polo players were well-prepared and motivated to excel in the tournament.
In the girls’ division, Bishop’s College Under-15 team arose victorious, defeating both Musaeus College and Visakha Vidyalaya in their matches. In their first game, the Bishopians outclassed Musaeus College with a convincing 6-1 victory. They sustained their winning streak by overpowering Visakha Vidyalaya 10-5, securing the Girls Junior League Championship.
The Bishop’s College junior squad, composed of 13 players, was led by key performers such as Miheli Ratnayake, Hayah Maharoof, Sinali Ratnayake, and Yashoda Pilapitiya. The team’s success was largely due to the expert coaching of Sachitha Jayathilake, a former S. Thomas’ rugby player, Sri Lanka youth cricketer, and national water polo player. Jayathilake’s experience and leadership, supported by Assistant Coaches Keshan Munasinghe, Minuri de Silva, and Shenaya Silva, played a crucial role in shaping the team’s winning strategy.
The two-day tournament also saw strong competition in the senior categories, with Royal College Under-19 and Visakha Vidyalaya Under-19 teams clinching the senior titles. Both teams excelled reinforcing their status as leading water polo schools in Sri Lanka.
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