VISAKHIANS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Visakha has splashing success in water poloThey have won 27 matches in-a row this season with wins over Air Force and arch rivals Ladies College By M. Shamil Amit The Visakha Vidyalaya Water Polo team is recognized as one of the top women’s team in the local circuit.This year happens to be their best ever as they have tasted phenomenal success when they emerged undisputed champions by rounding off the season with a hundred percent record by winning all 27 matches they played this year. Led by Sri Lanka’s national synchronized swimmer Shahili Gomes the champion team ended the season in style defeating the strong Air Force and arch rivals Ladies College to clinch the senior national title in the last major tournament of the season. The champion team first struck gold at the national knockout
tournament early this year by edging out rivals Ladies College and from there on
success flowed. The winning captain Shahili Gomes shared glory and honour with
the captain of the losing team Isuru Beneragama by being adjudged the best
player of the tournament which they shared jointly. Commenting on the
performance of her team skipper Shahili said it was the their dedication and
professional approach to the games that brought them glory. I give my unreserved
credit to my team mates. Their arch rivals the formidable Ladies College team had to play second fiddle in most of the major finals they confronted. Shahili stated that energized by the success of winning the nationals championship the girls made a big impact by going on to clinch the junior nationals, the Under 20 and the inter-schools championships with their opponents in all these being Ladies College who gave stiff opposition with the games ending in nail biting finishes which she cherished as the best titles the team won. They were also able to regain the Edissuriya trophy in their annual encounter against Ladies College. She further stated that all the girls played well and of course the brilliant goal keeping of Tharindri Wariyapola along with the determined style of play of her deputy Chariya Dharmadasa and Lukshani Ratnayake definitely gave the team the much needed impact for our victories. In fact Charya was adjudged the best player in the Under 20 tournament. It was evident to all, that the way the Visakhians entered the fray, that they were well prepared, physically and mentally and had the necessary ingredient of a champion team. Even their junior team too had a successful season and the champion team is lucky to have several multi skilled aquatic sportswomen in their team in the likes of skipper Shahili, Rovini Illukumbura, Dethree Samarajeewa and Shahili’s sister Elisha. From here on having showed their talent and skills in the national arena they go to the international arena with sisters Shahili, Elisha along with Rovini and Dethree have been included to represent Sri Lanka in synchronized swimming at the forthcoming Asian Games 2006 in Doha, Qatar. Rohini Chandrasekera; a real-life example of the strength of a positive attitudeTo some of you, Rohini Chandrasekera may be a very familiar name and may not need any introduction. Whilst at Visakha Vidyalana, she represented Sri Lanka in the years 1972, 1974 and 1976 in various international athletic meets. 30 years after leaving school in 1976, Rohini represented Sri Lanka in the Masters Games held in Bangalore, India in 2006, and once again brought credit to her country by winning 3 Silver Medals! In 2005, Rohini was diagnosed with breast cancer, and to date is under medication. Her strong belief that “a positive approach can change any unfortunate situation to that of a more challenging one” drives her to strive with determination to make life more meaningful rather than one which evokes sympathy. “Believe in yourself” is the lesson behind her story of success. 
Visakha lasses dazzle at hockeyBy Bruce Maurice The Visakha Vidyalaya lasses crowned themselves in hockey glory by winning three of the four tournaments held last year and emerging runner-up in the other at the Colombo Schools Hockey Tournaments conducted by the Colombo Schools Hockey Committee. The Visakhians em-erged unbeaten champions in the under 19, 15 and 13 tournaments, while the under 11 team won the runner-up trophy. Throughout the tournament, the Visakhians displayed tremendous skill, ball sense, ball control, speed over the ground and were the cynosure of all eyes at the tournament. The team with their impressive to watch ball skill, immaculate dribbling and quick fire passes tormented their opponents to come out worthy winners in three age categories. In all four tournaments they amassed as much as 89 goals, while only five were scored against them. This achievement speaks volumes for their dominance throughout the tournament. In the under 19 final, Visakha drubbed Musaeus College 4-2, in the under 15 final they beat Sirimavo Balika Vidyalaya 1-0 and in the under 13 final, trounced Gothami Balika 6-0. However, they surrendered the under 11 final to Musaeus College by one goal.The most prolific goal scorers in the under 19 segment were, Kanishka Withana with 10 goals, Jayanthi Anupama eight and skipper Saachinka Weerasinghe seven. In the under 15 tournament, the main scorers were Nipuni Punsiri with six, while Maneesha Welaratne and skipper Dulmini Nanayakkara scored five each. Maneesha Welaratne was the leading goal getter in the under 13 segment with 16, while skipper Charini Kulaweera netted six and Ashwini Madanayake contributed nine. Ashwini Madanayake was adjudged the most outstanding player of the tournament in the under 11 age group. The Visakhians are coached by the handsome Rohan Dissanayake, the former women's national coach, whose hockey career was crippled by a nasty knee injury.
Sri Lankan swimmers return with six medalsThe Sri Lankan swimmers returned from the Hong Kong Synchronized Open Swimming Championships 2005 with a haul of six medals. Over 50 participants from Macau, Sri Lanka and the host country Hong Kong participated in the competition that was held in the Kowloon Park Swimming pool from December 8 to 11. Dehara Katepiarachchci of Musaeus College won both gold medals that Sri Lanka bagged. Under 12 - Paddle Scull - Stroke event) and the 13-15 age group Figure Competition. One silver medal was won by Gayani Warnapura, Hashani Warnapura, Rovini Illukkumbura, Dilini Kithsiri, Deerthi Samarajeewa, Dehara Ketepiarachchi and Elisha Gomes. While Elisha Gomes won a bronze in the under 12 - Egg Beater - stroke event, Dehara Katepiarachchi won the bronze in the 13-15 age group solo event and Rovini Illukkumbura also took bronze in the 16-18 age group, Solo Event.
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