Lankan diving team with officials: Seated from left: Akshay Randeepa (Coach), Kithmi Marambe (Captain), Jayantha Gunasekera (Manager – Men), Mahinda Liyanage (SLASU Secretary), Sumanthri (Manager – Women), Prasad Dissanayake (Coach) Standing 1st row (from left): Raphail Jayaweera (Royal), Shirel Wickramaratne (St Bridget’s), Vinudi Kankanamge (Visakha), Shania Silva (Bishop’s), Akeesa Hewavitharana (Sirimavo), Kisara Ranawaka (St Bishop’s), Imaaya Perera (Bishop’s), Giyanka Wickremasinghe (S Thomas’), Thasith Liyanage (Royal), Thusith Liyanage (Royal). Standing 2nd row (from left): Venuka Kankanamge (Royal), Ruel Wickramaratne (Royal), Dhruv Perera (S Thomas’), Daham Marambe (Royal), Yusuf Shihar (Royal), Mikhail Jayaweera (Royal), Seniru Rodrigo (Royal).
In a historic move, Bishop’s College’s rising star Kithmi Marambe will lead the Sri Lanka diving team in the annual Hong Kong Age Group Diving Championship, set to take place in the bustling Northern Hong Kong City of Kowloon from August 30 to September 5. This marks the first time in history that a Sri Lankan team will be participating in the prestigious event.
The seven-day diving competition is organized by the Hong Kong China Swimming Association, the governing body of aquatics sports in Hong Kong. This association is a member of the World Aquatics, Asia Aquatics, and Sports Federation, as well as the Olympic Committee of Hong Kong.
The 18-member Sri Lankan team boasts a diverse composition, with nine talented divers hailing from Royal College, with the accomplished Bishopian Kithmi Marambe at the helm. Additionally, four skilled divers represent Bishop’s College, while S Thomas’ College and St Bridget’s Convent contribute two divers each. Visakha Vidyalaya and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya are proudly represented by one diver each.
The selection process for the team was executed by the Sri Lanka Aquatics Sports Union (SLASU), who assessed performances at the recently concluded 47th National Age Group Diving Championship, which spanned across various age groups.
Sajeewa Jayakody