Lankan paddler Sajith Priyadharshana going great guns in Victoria
Sajith Priyadharshana Silva the Sri Lankan Table Tennis player based in Melbourne performed well for the Victorian Men’s TT team . He is presently playing for Croydon TT Club in Victoria and represented Victoria state team for the National championships .
Sajith was born in Ambalangoda and coached by experienced Anura Lal and moved to Melbourne in 2015, prior to the move he had been playing TT for more than 18 years in Sri Lanka . He started TT from Sri Devananda College Ambalangoda Sajith’s coach A.W Anura Lal who is also a former Devanandian said Sajith Priyadharshan started his TT career from the age of 9. He showed his potential from childhood .He was able to win all age categories from under 11,13, 15, 17, 19 and also was adjudged junior National champion twice in 2004, 2006. He couldn’t win the senior National title as he left the country for higher studies and I am very happy he is playing to his full potential once again in Melbourne .
Sajith Priyadarshana the 35 year old paddler is expected to play in the Australian National championship next July. I am keen to play for my motherland Sri Lanka. At the same time I am expecting to get PR in Australia and aim to represent the Australian National team . Presently I get guidance from Australian National coach John Murphy who has Scotland experience as a coach . I have a good opportunity to play with Australian National players which gives more exposure . Actually my present coach earlier guided the Irish National Team from 2012 to 2018 and came back to Australia that year to lead his team at the Commonwealth Games. And in those years, he played a huge role in raising the profile of the game. Sajith always highly appreciated his first coach in Sri Lanka Anura Lal who gives fine encouragement up to date .I also will never forget Chandana Perera the former President and Secretary who is doing his best to develop table tennis in the country .
I chat with my Sri Lanka coach Anura Lal regularly and he always gives advice to build up my career . Here in Melbourne I have to work and get my training in the evening and everything I have to balance and my wife gives me good support while we have to look after our two and half year old daughter . said Sajith Priyadharshana .
“I played several international tournaments including South Asian and Asian, representing Sri Lanka on both Junior and Senior National levels,” said Sajith. I was able to win the silver medal at team event while the bronze medal at the doubles game partnered by Dinesh Deshappriya at the 2010 SAF games.
“After moving to Melbourne, I have been playing in several tournaments as a member of the Croydon and Districts Table Tennis Association and TTV. Since joining the club, I have been able to win several competitions . Won the Victorian Closed Open Men’s Singles as well as the Bendigo Senior Open . Playing more stale level tournaments gives me good exposure .
“I was a two-time Junior National Champion in Sri Lanka. I finished second at the 2003 Junior South Asian Games in Bangladesh, the 2004 Junior South Asian Games and 2005 Junior South Asian Games in India. I also took home a silver and bronze medal at the 2010 South Asian Games.” said Sajith Priyadharshana.
Sajith took to the sport after he was encouraged to play table tennis which was one of the famous sports at his school Devananada which has already produced several talented paddlers like K.S.T Chalitha who was one time National champion under the same coach Anura Lal.
“After being selected to play, I was interested in table tennis and won several school, district, national and international level competitions and these achievements always encouraged me and my dedication makes me train hard and win tournaments both at national and international levels.” “I have been able to play with different people in different countries, I have learnt from them and also, I was able to learn through my mistakes and defeats,” he explained.
“I was encouraged and appreciated by the state of Victoria as they identified my talent and have given me the opportunity to participate in tournaments.” My parents and coaches give very good guidance for me to go forward and my loving wife gives her blessings to continue this sport
despite our busy life. Here in Melbourne we have to do our studies as well as our job and also training to develop my skills . My ambition is to represent my state Victoria at Nationals and ultimate goal is to represent Australia National team from this sport said Sajith Priyadharshana Silva.