The 18th edition of the ‘DSI Supersport]’ all Island Schools Volleyball Tournament is to commence on 27 of April will come to a close in early August. The tournament organized by Schools Volleyball Federation along with Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation is well supported by DSI group of Companies as its Main sponsor. Ministry of Education too has given its
blessings from its beginning as it is the National sport of Sri Lanka.
At the inception the tournament saw only 198 teams in action. With time passing the sport took a different stance and the participation increased immensely. The keen interest taken by outstation schools saw the number teams increase and present nearly 5,000 teams have entered the fray.
The Tournament which started in 1999 was able to produce many players to enter the national level who also got the opportunity of representing the country at international level. The tournament became the stepping stone for young spikers to enter arena.
This year the tournament the organizers have decided to include the Under 11 boys and girls teams with the aim of attracting more juveniles to take part in the national sport. The previous age categories were Under 13, 15, 17 and 19 Boys and Girls in the competition. With addition of the new age class the organizers expect an increase teams for the competition.
Preliminary rounds of the touernament will be conducted at district level and provincial level. The winners of district level will qualify to play in the Provincial level and the winners of Provincial winner and runner up will qualify to play in the final round.
The National level tourney is to commence on May 31 and continue till Luly 2. The final stage of the tournament will be played from August 3an 4 at the National Youth Center Couts in Maharagama. These details were disclosed to the Media at Press briefing held at the Hotel Nippon in Colombo last week.
Minister for Power and Renewable Energy and President of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Ranjith Siyabalapitiya, Director Ministry of Education Manjula Kariyawasam, Secretary
SLVBF A.S. Nalaka, Thusitha Rajapaksa Manging Director DSI Group of Companies, Director DSI, Kaushalya Perera,Vice Presedent SLVBF Kanchan Jayaratne and Senior Manager DSI Upendra were present at the Media Briefing..
Minister speaking said that though Volleyball is the National Sport before the inception of this tournament with the co-operation it was at a very low ebb. The entry of DSI Superspot to sponsor this tournament the game took a different turn and now it has become a major activity in the schools sporting calendar. Minister Siyabalapitiya thanked the DSI Group of Companies for all efforts taken to promote the National sport from school level itself.
Thusith Rajapaksa addressing the media first thanked the SLVBF and Sri Lanka Schools Volleyball Association giving the opportunity to be the main sponsor for the Tournament. ‘We are proud to say that our intention has been fulfilled to the maximum.
This tourney has also given the rural folk with talents to reached greater heights in this sport and the children who came up with real talents got the chance to enter the national pool. This is an achievement we have gained and we hope to continue our support in the future too” he said.