Not limiting itself to educational acumen alone, the Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) recently displayed its sporting prowess when the basketball and rugby teams of IIT emerged victorious at the 12th UiTM Sports Fiesta 2017. The sporting fiesta was held recently in Malaysia. The IIT Rugby Team was awarded the gold medal while the institute’s Basketball Team won the Silver medal in the tournament which included the participation of universities from Philippine, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
Sportsmen and women from several countries in South Asia represented their respective universities and higher education institutes in Rugby, Futsal, Tenpin Bowling, Badminton, Tennis, Basketball, Table Tennis and Netball.
The IIT Rugby Team clinched a comfortable victory over the University Mara Johar Malaysia with a score line of 19-05 at the finals. On their way to the Championship, IIT was able to beat the formidable rugby team of University of Maleka at the semifinal stage. The team was represented by Mohomed Naleef, Dinu Perera, Senura Dias, Chatura Alwis, Chathure Wijeratne, Nipun Wickremarathne, Chameera De Silva, Oshada Methmal, Harikeshan Sivaharan, S.Arthesa and Kusal Fernado.
The Basketball Team who was last year’s defending champions, unfortunately fell short against Diliman College Philippines at the finals. Diliman College scored 61 points while IIT scored 52. The team was represented by Sameera Chanaka (Captain), Shehan Kumara, Gayan Andrew, Malish Dilshan, Minul Veneka, Dilka Sirimanna, Thushan Dharmasena, Thushan Perera, Adil Rahuman, Kasun Chanaka, Nigel Gunawardena and Sajith Vishwanathn. The IIT Basketball team was guided under the direction of Head coach Rasitha Fernando.
“We are pleased about our achievements. I would like to thank the coach and teams consisting of present national players on their excellent performance. Their hard work and commitment has led to their outstanding results in such a relatively short period to win the first ever international gold medal championship in any format of the game in the history of university sports in this country. I would also like to thank our Chairman and all the directors for believing in our abilities” Chinthaka De Silva, Group Sports and Wellness Consultant for IIT said.
“It was a great experience for us not only to participate, but emerged victories in both Rugby and Basketball. The players and coaches worked hard and put in a lot of effort and sacrifice at practices. I would like to thank our chairman Dr. Gamini Wickramasinghe, the management, all the players, respective coaches and our staff at IIT for their support and encouragement,” Ajith Codipilly, the IIT’s Rugby and Basketball Manager also noted.
IIT Basketball and Rugby has achieved much success over the past year by winning accolades at many prominent sporting tournaments. In 2016, IIT emerged champion in the Basketball tournament over Diliman College Philippines at UiTM Sports Fiesta. Previously, IIT Basketball emerged champions at the CIMA 3 x 3 tournaments and was champions at Fastbreak 2016. Meanwhile, IIT Rugby previously emerged winners at the CPS Inter University Rugby Sevens, Bowl Runners-Up UiTM International Rugby Tournament in Malaysia 2015 and Runners-Up at KDU Leaders Trophy 2015.
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