National Basketball players receive COVID-19 vaccine

On a request made by the incumbent President of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation (SLBF) Aelian Gunawardene, to the Health Authorities and COVID Task Force (CTF) Chairman, the Pfizer vaccination jabs were injected to these players.

The Sri Lanka Under-18 3×3 Boys’ and Girls’ Teams, which are training for the World Cup in Hungary from September 24 to 29 along with the Under-23 Boys’ Squad, which is also under preparation for the World Cup in Mongolia from October 11 to 15, 2021, were among those players who received the first jab of the vaccination.

Subsequently, these Under-18 Boys’ Teams will be the first schools teams to represent Sri Lanka in a foreign tournament since the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Organising the selection process and practicing for these tournaments in such trying times was a very difficult and challenging task.

It was made possible due to the untiring efforts of the SLBF Management Committee and the Basketball Selectors.

The 3×3 Basketball Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr Gehan De Soysa, together with Coach and members of the Committee made all arrangements while Gunawardene and his management Committee obtained the support of General Shavendra Silva, Commander Sri Lanka Army cum Chairman of the CTF, Amal Edirisooriya DG Sports Ministry, Dr. Asela Gunawardena Director General Health Services and Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi.

“The cooperation and efficiency of these organisations have been very encouraging,” Gunawardene told the daily News.

“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the Health Minister and her officials, Army Commander and his team for their magnanimous gesture and support in making this a reality.”

“I must thank all the players, masters-in-charge and officials from the Education Ministry who readily assisted with this process and wished the players all the very best during their travel and the tournaments,” Gunawardene concluded. (AN)