Sri Lanka U-15 boys make history at Asian Youth TT

(From left) Agasthya Ananditha, Naviru Nethsitha, Osanda Upekshana and Pasindu Savinda 

By Susil Premalal

Sri Lanka’s Under-15 boys’ table tennis team produced a historic performance at the 29th Asian Youth Table Tennis Championship (AYTTC) 2025, which concluded on 2nd July in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 
Their remarkable run to the quarterfinals stands as one of Sri Lanka’s best achievements in the history of this prestigious tournament.
Drawn in Group 1 alongside Asian giants Japan, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan, the young Sri Lankans showed admirable grit and skill. Although they opened their campaign with a challenging 0–3 defeat to Japan, they rebounded strongly, defeating Mongolia 3–1 and registering an emphatic 3–0 win over Kyrgyzstan. These results secured them second place in the group and a coveted berth in the quarterfinals.
The team, captained by Agasthya Ananditha and comprising Naviru Nethsitha, Pasindu Savinda, and Osanda Upekshana, displayed exceptional teamwork and tactical maturity throughout the group stage, drawing praise from spectators and officials alike.
In the quarterfinals, Sri Lanka faced a formidable Indian side and, despite a valiant effort, went down 0–3. However, advancing to the last eight on the Asian stage marked a significant milestone for Sri Lankan youth table tennis, offering fresh hope for the sport’s future on the island.
The achievement not only highlights the emerging talent of these young paddlers but also signals Sri Lanka’s growing competitiveness in the Asian table tennis circuit. With such promising performances, the nation can look forward to even greater success in years to come.