Colombo, Feb 3, 11AM – Asian International School (AIS) is creating history as four of its swimmers have been chosen by the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU) to represent Sri Lanka at the BIMSTEC Youth Aquatic Meet in New Delhi, India. The event, happening from February 7 to 13, marks a momentous occasion for AIS.
Christina Perumal, Sithuki Yonara, Kashika Vishalini, and Nikhileshwaran Kumaraguru from AIS are among the 48-member Sri Lanka Youth Swimming Squad set to depart for India on Monday.
This is a big moment for AIS! It’s the first time in the school’s history that four swimmers got chosen to represent Sri Lanka in one international event. Back in 2014-2015, only two or three swimmers, like Matthew Abeysinghe, Machiko Raheem, and Kimiko Raheem, represented Sri Lanka internationally and won medals. There was also one occasion when Tazneem Lukmanjee and Yash Peiris represented the country a couple of years ago.
Asian International School has a strong sports history, especially in swimming. They’ve had three Olympic swimmers: Daniel Lee in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and Matthew Abeysinghe and Kimiko Raheem in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Other medal hopefuls Sithuki Yonara will participate in the girls’ 400m freestyle, 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke events. Nikhhileshwaran Kumaraguru will represent the country in the boys’ 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Kashika Vishalini will compete in the girls’ 50m backstroke and 100m butterfly events.
AIS sees this as a moment to celebrate. Previously, they typically had only two-three swimmers, like Machiko Raheem, Kimiko Raheem and Matthew Abeysinghe, representing Sri Lanka and winning medals. Ms. Nihara Bagoos, Head of Sports at Asian International School, expresses hope that these swimmers will bring medals for Sri Lanka and extends her best wishes to them.
The tournament is made possible through collaboration with the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry, Indian Foreign Ministry, and Sri Lanka Sports Ministry, providing all facilities free of charge. Participating BIMSTEC countries include host India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
This experience holds great significance for the Sri Lanka Youth teams, as they will also compete in the 11th Asian Age Group Aquatic Championship scheduled from February 26 to March 9 in New Clark City, Capas Tarlac, Philippines.
