The Junior School Inter-house Table Tennis tournament took place on the 27th of March 2019. It was one of the most interesting events for the youngsters. The tournament was arranged to take place in the classrooms with table tennis tables in place.
First, the coach and the Assistant Head of Sports, Mr Rathnayaka showed the participants how to play on the tables by playing the first official match of the day. After that, the Headmaster, Mr A. S. Marasinghe and Father Rev. Sanath Medagamgoda came to the classrooms. The Headmaster spoke a few words to encourage the young lads, this was followed by a prayer by the Chaplain.
The matches were played in a knock-out system: if a player loses one match that player cannot progress any further in the tournament, and the winner of that match gets to play until he loses.
Our coach gave some slips of paper to select which boys will play against each other and asked us to stay close to our opponents. But some players had ‘byes’ in their first match as well. Then the excited players started playing with their opponents with all their strength and skills trying their very best to win each match.
While the winners went onto the next round, others were on the sides cheering their friends to succeed.
The winners of each match were asked to sign a small slip of paper to mark their victory. After sixteen first-round matches, the second round began.
Quarter Finals
The players who won in the second round competed against each other to go up to semi-finals. A certificate was given to all the quarter-finalists.
Semi Finals
Both matches took place at the same time as there were two tables. The winners of these two matches were given the chance to play the final match for the champions trophy.
The Finals
This was the match that everyone was waiting for.
The match was played between Nilesh Siriwardena and Lasas Somachandra. There were two sets. Nilesh won both and he became the champion of the Inter-House Table Tennis Tournament 2019.
The champions trophy was awarded to Nilesh by the Headmaster and everybody was so happy that he won the tournament. The Headmaster also read the names of the players who will get the certificates later, and spoke a few words to all the youngsters and concluded the event.
After the tournament, everyone left after arranging the space back as as a classroom. It was a very happy morning for all of us, filled with excitement, unity and enjoyment.
Tournament results are as follows:
The Quarter Finalists
Master Sathsara Dissanayake
Master Yasas Senanayaake
Master Wosanda Malaviarachchi
Master Vihanga Sangakkara
The Semi Finalists
Master Leesitha Gunathilake
Master Chirath Jayasinghe
Runner Up
Master Lasas Somachandra
Best Player
Master Nilesh Siriwardhane
Review credits to Chirath Jayasinghe (Grade 5E)
