Twin sisters Akithma and Sanithma excel at Milo Netball tourney

Akithma Linduli and Sanithma Minduni of HFC Kurunegala, the 15-year-old twin sisters stole the limelight at the recently concluded Milo All Island Schools Netball Championship held at Wennappuwa. Two Abeysinghe sisters have equal talents in this sport while elder sister Akithma the Goal Attack (GA) player was adjudged the under 17 Best Player and this was her third consecutive award in this Milo Schools Netball Tournament.

When “Daily News” contacted Akithma and Sanithma, they are very keen to recall their netball journey. Actually this is my third consecutive best player award. As an under-13 player I have won the same award in 2018 and 2019 but due to global pandemic we had to wait two years to play in this tournament, said the elder sister Akithma.

Myself and my younger sister Sanithma are very close in school and sports activities. Winning three years the same award gives real boost to me to continue netball. We have an idea to continue this sport and my parents Asanka Abeysinghe and Sulochana Tharangi always back us and our coach Amalka Gunatilleka and Ananda Wannitilleka the trainer always have been a strength to us, said Sanithma.

When Akithma and Sanithma came to their school on the first day at Grade one they met coach Amalka Gunatilleka. Today these two girls get guidance from the same coach. The mother of these twins Sulochana Tharangi was a former Junior National netball player of Sir John Kotalawala MV Kurunegala.”My mother Sulochana also played netball as a Goal Shooter and has won Milo School Colors in 1999.

“I always stay close to my daughters and one and only son Matheesha who is a A/L student now. Asanka Abeysinghe who was a former athlete of Sir John Kotalawala MV said my two daughters give first priority to netball but both of them are involved in athletics in 100m and 200m events.

Sanithma was the under 13 school netball captain in 2018 and 2019 and she always used to play GD or the GK while Akithma from the beginning plays as GA player. “Both of us have an idea to continue netball and represent the National team. We know we have to go on a long journey. Especially our coaches and parents give big boost to us, said Akithma and Sanithma.