The annual Schools Supersport Volleyball Championship is back and over 4000 teams from all over the island are expected to participate this year.
The Championship is to be held for the 22nd occasion and is sponsored again by DSI as the national sport has become very popular among schoolchildren.
Volleyball is played in almost all vacant spots around the country. Playgrounds, paddy fields and even available space on the road sides are taken up to play by enthusiasts especially young school children.
The tournament will be held first at district level and then National level. District level matches will take place on June 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 and on July 6, 7, 13, 14 and 20, 21.
Winning teams and second placed at district level will qualify to the National level from August 7 to 11 and the winners will qualify to play in the finals to be held on November 2 and 3 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
The age categories are under-11, 13, 15, 17 and 19 for boys and girls. Application forms are available at all DSI showrooms across the country. Completed applications should be submitted to the nearest DSI showroom. Applications can also be posted to the Marketing Department at number 257, High Level Road, Navinna, Maharagama to reach before May 31.
These details were revealed at a media briefing held at the Nippon Hotel in Colombo 2 on Tuesday (7).
Speaking on the occasion president of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Kanchana Jayaratne said that giant strides are needed to take the sport to a higher level of performance.
“It must also be further popularized among the people in all areas of the country. I am also grateful to DSI for sponsoring this event for such a long time.
“Due to the popularity of the game the junior boys and girls teams are eagerly awaiting to participate in this tournament every year,” said Jayaratne.
To encourage the national sport at all age levels the Sri Lanka men’s team will be sent to Pakistan to take part in the CAVA Nations League Volleyball Championship from May 9 to 18 in Islamabad.
Jayaratne said that junior teams will also be sent to participate in tournaments overseas in the near future.
Thusitha Rajapakse the Managing Director of D. Samson and Sons, the sponsor, said that most school children are involved in participating in volleyball throughout the year.
