Cheethiya leads Sri Lanka Under 18 at Commonwealth Games

By Shamseer Jaleel

Dashing Joes player Gemunu Cheethiya was appointed as the Sri Lanka under 18 Sevens skipper for the Commonwealth Youth Games which will take place in Bahamas with the kick off on 17 July.

Peter Woods head Coach of Sri Lanka  Under 18 at Commonwealth Games 

Sri Lanka will be the sole representative at this event. Sri Lanka was awarded with this berth when they won the Under 18 tournament last year on aggregate in Hong Kong and Taipei under Naveen Heenakankamge.

Christian de Lile who toured last year at the Under 18 tour was over looked for the leadership. Sri Lanka last represented at the 2011 Youth Commonwelath Games in Man of Isle under currents Sri Lanka Sevens skipper, Dhanushka Ranjan. Sri Lanka youth outfit ended as the Shield Champions on this tour under Nilfer Ibrahim as their Head Coach and Tuan Dole was the Team Manager.  

Touring squad

Inthi Marrikar High Performance  Director of Sri Lanka Rugby

Gemunu Cheethiya (Capt., St. Joseph’s), Mohamed Shabeer (Vice Capt.) and Ishara Liyanage (both from St. Anthony’s), Naveen Rajaratnam, Warren Weerakoon, Vishwa Ranaraja (all from Trinity), Dayan Sabar (Wesley), Christian De lile (S. Thomas’),Tharindu De Alwis (St. Joseph’s), Ravin Fernando (St. Peter’s), Nadeesha Chaminda (Isipathana) and Dulanjana Piyatissa (Dharmaraja)

Head Coach: Peter Woods (New Zealand)

High Performance Director: Inthi Marikar

Gemunu Cheethiya leads Sri Lanka  Under 18 at Comonwealth Games in Bahamas