)
Bandari Youth graduate explains why he chose to play for Sri Lanka instead of Harambee Stars. He was raised in Mombasa and could have been a quality addition to the Benni McCarthy-coached Harambee Stars.
Bandari Youth team graduate midfielder Tenuka Ranaweera has opened up about why he pledged his international career to the country of his ancestors, instead of Harambee Stars.
Born and raised in Mombasa, Tenuka pledged his allegiance to Sri Lanka last year, starting with their U20 team as soon as he was granted the green light to play for the Asian country. The 19-year-old, whose father Rajith Ranaweera was born in Sri Lanka but settled in Mombasa, later made a giant leap into the senior team in September 2024.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports.
Ranaweera attributed his decision to switch allegiance to the cut-throat competition for slots in Harambee Stars and family influence. "When the opportunity to play for Sri Lanka arose, I did not think twice about it. I considered it an opportunity to make my dad and grandparents proud, as they were born there," he told Mozzart Sports.
)
08:31 - 10.03.2025
How short-term gains threaten Kenyan runners’ long-distance dominance
Kenya’s long-distance dominance is fading as athletes prioritize quick financial gains from road races, raising concerns about the future of track success.
Ranaweera insisted that the long route of making it to the Harambee Stars team and the competition for the available minimal slots made him make the tough call. "Much as I wanted to play for Kenya, I considered the long route of making it to the team, the challenges and competition for the few available slots."
After earning his senior call up last year, the diminutive midfielder harbours hope of helping Sri Lanka qualify for the 2027 Asia Cup. "My dream is to help the country qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup against the odds. We are determined to get off to a flying start later in the month and write history by qualifying the country to the finals in Saudi Arabia."
)
14:05 - 10.03.2025
'I’m grateful for that loss'- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone opens up about the one defeat that shaped her career
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has detailed the one loss that changed everything in her career and turned her into a record-breaking assasin.
Sri Lanka will be seeking to get to the Asian Cup for the first time, having failed in the past eleven bids. Sri Lanka, the lowest ranked nation in the qualifiers, is in Group D of the qualifiers along with Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Turkmenistan.
Even though Ranaweera opted to represent Sri Lanka, other European-born players have made a decision to play for Harambee Stars.
)
18:45 - 10.03.2025
'It's pond life' - Seb Coe tells Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg to tackle social media abuse of female athletes
World Athletics president Seb Coe has called upon Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg to protect female athletes from social media abuse.
Daniel Anyembe, Jonah Ayunga, Adam Wilson, and Alfred Scriven are living examples of European-born players with Kenyan roots who have since established themselves as regulars in the Harambee Stars squad.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)