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Sri Lanka, October 27 — A nine-member junior swimming squad from Sri Lanka has departed the island to compete in the 3rd Asian Youth Games swimming events, which start today (October 27) at the Khalifa Sports City Swimming Pool Complex in Manama, Bahrain.

The team is led by MF Muhammad, a 17-year-old swimmer from Zahira College in Colombo, who holds the national record in the men’s 200m breaststroke. Recognized for his strength and accuracy in the water, Muhammad will take part in his primary events – 200m breaststroke, 100m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, and 200m individual medley – and is considered Sri Lanka’s top prospect for a medal.

Alongside him is Jayden de Silva, a 15-year-old from Stafford International School, who has gained recognition as Sri Lanka’s top junior butterfly swimmer. He will participate in four events – 100m backstroke, and his preferred butterfly races: 50m, 100m, and 200m.

Adeetha Siriwardena, 17, hailing from Wesley College, contributes strong overall abilities to the team. He is set to participate in the 100m backstroke, 200m individual medley, 50m backstroke, and 200m backstroke events.

Another swimmer from Stafford, 17-year-old Yashith Wijesundara, will compete in the 100m butterfly, 200m freestyle, and 50m butterfly. Lithum de Silva, also 17, hailing from Gateway College Colombo, will participate in four freestyle races – 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m freestyle.

On the female side, 17-year-old Syesha Anthony will take the lead. Having trained at Abbotsleigh in Sydney, she is considered one of Sri Lanka’s top young female swimmers. Syesha will participate in the 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly, and 50m freestyle events, and is anticipated to achieve impressive performances.

Julie Hope, aged 15, from Dubai Scholars Private School, will compete in the 200m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke, and 50m backstroke. Lehara Melegoda, 16, from Anula Vidyalaya in Nugegoda, is set to participate in the 100m freestyle, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and 400m freestyle, establishing herself as another prominent athlete in the women’s team.

The youngest member of the team, 15-year-old Sahsha Rajapakse from British School in Colombo, will take part in the 200m individual medley, 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly, and 50m freestyle events.

The team is led by Matthew Abeysinghe, a two-time Olympian and national coach, who is also South Asia’s most decorated athlete and the head coach of Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA). Significantly, six of the nine swimmers in the Bahrain team are trained by Abeysinghe at KWA.

The Team Manager is Major General BM Yahampath, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and President of the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU), who will lead the team during the four-day event concluding on October 30.