Air Force, Navy, Ports Authority and HNB entered the semi finals of the National Netball Championship played at the Albert. F Pieris Stadium Wennappuwa yesterday with several ups and downs holding centre stage.
The Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) is conducting this tournament and its president Victoria Lakshmi said it was an achievement to have 24 teams including sides from Jaffna, Mannar and Vavuniya contesting.
The toughest two teams Air Force and Army contested one quarter final and the Air Force team led by Thilini Wattegedera with Sri Lanka players controlled the game from the first quarter.
Air Force won comfortably 25-8 and National players Sureka Gamage, Chathurangi Jayasuriya, Dulanga Dhananji and skipper Wattegedera along with two promising players Rukshala Hapuarachchi and Rashmi Divyanjali played well.
Army regular skipper Thishala Algama who is the Nation team goal shooter did not play due to injury while Bhashini de Silva played the lead role yesterday.
Meanwhile defending champion HNB team with National team players Gayanjali Amarawansa, Dulangi Wannitilleka and Gayani Dissanayake along with Dharshika Abeywickrama had an easy quarter final against Kotalawala Defence University to enter the semi final after a 31/7 victory.
Ports Authority defeated Kalutara HFC to enter the semi final with a 33-16 victory.
The quarter final between Navy and Kurunegala was also one-sided and Navy entered the semi final with a 20-3 victory.
The opening ceremony was held yesterday morning while Sports Minister’s Secretary K. Mahesan was the chief guest.
Today the semi finals are scheduled to be held from 8.30 am onwards and Air Force will meet Ports Authority in the first semi final followed by HNB the defending champions meeting Navy. Both semi finals will be played at the outdoor stadium.
The loosing semi finalists’ game for the third place will commence at 1 pm at the Indoor Stadium while the final will be held at the Indoor Stadium from 4pm onwards.
Dialog is sponsoring tournament for the fourth time and its General Manager Marketing Ashani Senaratne will be the chief guest today gracing the presentation ceremony soon after the final.
