COLOMBO (Sri Lanka) - The basketball scene in Sri Lanka is buzzing with excitement. Not only the national team secured a historic medal in the South Asian Games this past December, but they will also about to play the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers.

Sri Lankan star Praneeth Udumalagala had once said in an interview that he desired to win a South Asian Games medal with the team; a dream that has now become a reality.

"Man, it was an amazing feeling!" said Udumalagala. "The boys, the coaches, and the staff went through a lot and made huge sacrifices to make this happen. To be able to be on the podium to win Sri Lanka it’s first South Asian Games silver medal was a feeling that’s hard to describe in words."

This stretch of success for Sri Lankan basketball has coincided with Praneeth’s re-introduction to the local basketball scene. He was their star in his national team debut at the West Region Pre-Qualifiers in 2018 and is now ready to lead them through the upcoming Asia Cup Qualifiers campaign.

"Well, every international game we play is a learning stage for us, especially for ones who will make their debut in the team," he added. "International exposure and experience is much needed. We will be competing with teams that are similar to India where the players are mostly bigger and stronger than us. We must strategize on both offense and defense and do our best in the games."

Udumalaga’s first taste of FIBA basketball put him up against some of the best in the Western region of Asia. While he was excited to face off against some of those stars at the Pre-Qualifiers, the swingman will get a chance to match up against even more talents individuals at the Qualifiers ahead.

"Two players I had the pleasure of competing with and enjoyed watching was Sani Sakakini and Khalid Abdel Gabar!" Udumalagala exclaimed. "It was an amazing experience to compete with them."

Udumalagala will quickly get a chance to face Sani Sakakini once again here in the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, as Sri Lanka will be facing Palestine on 24 February in the Group F clash. He will have to wait a bit longer - and win a couple of games - to get a rematch with Khalid Abdel Gabbar of Saudi Arabia who is in a different group.

Most likely, Udumalagala will have to get Sri Lanka through to their first Asia Cup appearance since 2009 to make that match against Saudi Arabia happen. Considering how far he's helped the national team come in the recent years, who is deny that he can't get them through for another historic run?

FIBA