President's Gold Cup Volleyball C'ships : Provincial tournaments conclude on a high note

by Bernard Perera

The Provincial stage of the President's Gold Cup Volleyball Championships has concluded over the weekend at eight provinces. The championship is sponsored lavishly by Dialog GSM.

Southern Province Men's final was the only match that went the full stretch of five sets. When Aruna Sports Club, Thalagamwaduwa met Thotagamuwa Sports Club at Uyanwatte Stadium Matara. Meanwhile the women's final here was a one sided affair with Vijayaba Sports Club, Hungamuwa trounced Ganga Sports Club, Baddegama.

Thoduwawa Sports Club playing against Vijaya SC in the North Western Province had to fight for four sets to overcome their opponents at Senanayake MMV, Madampe.

But in the women's final it was a clean sweep for Dambadeniya Tharunapela SC over United SC of Nattandiya 3-0.

Eastern Province matches were conducted at Ampara Police ground. Here Mihindupura SC defeated Rantharu SC three sets to nil in the women's final both teams are from Trincomalee.

In the men's category Udaya Shakthi SC from Ampara that defeated Nawaka Tharu SC from Trincomalee three sets to nil.

Kandy women were seen in battle in the Central Province where Peradeniya SC became winners beating Menikhinna SC comfortably 3-0. But in the men's section the Matale - Nuwara Eliya battle saw Naula's Srinaga SC come out as winners beating Rainbow SC from Thalawakele also with the same margin 3-0.

In Sabaragamuwa the men's final was contested by two teams from Kegalle while in the women's section it was teams from Ratnapura and Kegalle fought the final. Ratnapura ladies were victorious in this game.

From the North Central Province winners Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa qualified to play in the national level stage.

These matches were conducted at public grounds, Anuradhapura, North Central Province had the highest number of teams participating in the district level with 73 teams from both sections.

At Gampaha where the Western Province matches were played saw Siyane Tharu SC and Golden Birds SC become winners in the women's and men's sections respectively.

It was rural teams that came out with flying colours in the province games. Bandarawela VB and Siyambalanduwa SC were the winners in men's and women's divisions.

All winning teams in provincial teams men and women were awarded Rs. 15,000 and Dialog GSM trophies while the runners-up received Rs, 10,000.

Winners and runners-up of Provincial tournaments will play their preliminary round games (men) on July 11 at National Youth Services Centre courts while the women's preliminary round games are scheduled for July 12 at the same venue commencing 9 a.m. on both days.

Teams qualifying for the national championships play on a league basis from July 13 and conclude on July 17. The date for the final will be decided later according to an official of the Volleyball Federation of Sri Lanka. President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga is expected to attend the final and give away the awards.

Sponsors Dialog GSM have come forward to supply clothing to all teams competing in the national championship.