Dialog GSM President's Cold Cup concludes on a grand scale

The National Volleyball Championship for the Dialog GSM President's Gold concluded at the national Youth Council Indoor stadium Maharagama on Sunday with a packed house of volleyball fans. Siyane Tharu SC, Gampaha winning the Men's and the Golden Birds SC taking the women's championship beating Sirisuwa SC and Siyane Tharu Sc respectively.

Speaking at the awards ceremony President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and the Minister for Justice and Port Development said that Volleball in Sri Lanka has improved tremendously with sponsors playing a vital role by way of coming forward to promote the national game.

He also said specially with the Dialog GSM's involvement with the game it has reaced great heights. Before the commencement of the President's Gold Cup the DSI Group of Companies sponsored Schools Championship and the Ceylon Biscuits Limited sponsored tourney gave good start for the game for it to go to the rural areas.

With the arrival of the President's Gold Cup Championship four years ago with a lavish sponsorship coming from the Dialog GSM with the expectation to touch the 1000 teams participation within a five year period.

It is heartening to note that Federation was able to achieve this target before it reached five year period. All this is due to the fact that all involved in the sport have dedicated themselves to reach this. While doing so the sponsors too gained their required mileage.

It is my duty to thank the Players, Referees, Officials, and each and everyone involved in bringing this tournament to success. He also added that it was the Media that gave much needed publicity. If not for their publicity work the sponsors and the players were encouraged immensely and it brought us good results not only to the sport but to all involved. The final result produced being the national sport gaining its due place to satisfy the players and the spectators alike.

Dimuth Upashantha (Siyane Tharu SC) and I.M.B. Ilangakoon (Golden Birds SC) were adjudged as Best Players in the Men's and Women's categories respectively. They received the Trophies named under former President's of the Volleyball Federation late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and Fomer Minister late Reggie Ranatunga.

Secretary to the Ministry of Sports and Public Recreation S. Liyanagama, Chirantha de Soysa, General Manager Sales Promotion and Sports, and senior officialsA from Dialog Telekom the main sponsors, Director General National Youth Services Council Bhaswara and All Officials of the Volleyball Federation were present on the accasion.

Results: Men

Winner: Siyane Tharu SC, Gampaha. First runner up: Siriduwa SC, Seeduwa. Second runner up: Vijaya SC, Koswadiya. Third runner up: United Sc, Nattandiya.

Women:

Winner: Golden Birds SC, Radawana. First runner up: Siyane Tharu SC, Gampaha. Second runner up Suhada SC, Pannala. Third runner up: Sinha SC, Batawatte.

Special Awards: (Women)

Best Setter - Krishanthi Jayawardene (Golden Birds SC)

Best Spiker - Nadeeka Athukorale (Golden Birds SC)

Best Receiver - Geethika Lalani Gunewardena (Golden Birds SC)

Best Blocker - I.B.M. Ilangakoon (Golden Birds SC)

Best Defender - Anusha Deepani (Siyane Tharu SC)

Men

Best Spiker - Nilanga Rukshan (Siriduwa SC)

Best ServerA - Chanaka Madushanka (Siyane Tharu SC)

Best Receiver - Dimuthu Upashantha (Siyane Tharu SC)

Best Setter - Morris Chaminda Perera (Siyane Tharu SC)

Best Blocker - Chandima Dissanayke (Siyane Tharu SC)

Best Libero - G. Pravith (Siriduwa SC)