Colombo, Mar 6, 2PM – Akeesha Hirundi Silva from Newstead Girls College in Negombo is all set to represent Sri Lanka in the upcoming ITF Asia 14 and Under Development Championship finals. The championship will take place in Kuching, Malaysia, from April 8 to 19, as announced by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
Akeesha’s exceptional performance at the South Asian Regional ITF Asia 14 and Under Development Championship held in Vietnam from January 8 to 18 earned her this prestigious selection. She stood out among her peers and was the only player chosen to represent Sri Lanka in the upcoming tournament.
At the Vietnam tour, 14-year-old Akeesha, along with her partner Sandithi Usgodarachchi of Museaus College, clinched the Doubles Championship. However, it was Akeesha’s remarkable performance in reaching the singles semi-finals that caught the selectors’ attention, leading to her selection for the Malaysian tournament.
This will be Akeesha’s fourth international tour for ITF tournaments. Previously, she participated in tournaments in Kazakhstan and Nepal for the Under-12 World Junior Tournaments and competed in the Under-14 category during the Vietnam Tour. The Malaysian tour marks her fourth overseas tournament.
Akeesha’s tennis journey began in Grade Two at Newstead College, where she showed early promise by winning the Single and Doubles Championships in last year’s ITF tournament in Sri Lanka. She has also excelled at the national level, claiming the championship titles at events like the Janaka Bogollagama Tennis Championship and the Hard Court National Championship organized by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association.
Under the guidance of former national player Dumidu Dilum at the Smash Tennis Academy in Negombo, Akeesha has honed her skills. She initially started training under Sirimal Kannangara and later transitioned to Dumidu Dilum’s coaching center for Under-12 players. Additionally, her physical training is overseen by Tharuka Perera, based in Negombo.
