Curtain comes down on biggest VB tourney

Bernard PERERA

The DSI Super Sports all island schools volleyball championship will come to a close at the Sugathadasa Stadium when five finals of different age groups are played today. The matches to be played are under 16 boys, under 12 boys and girls, and under 18 boys and girls. The matches are to commence at 8 a.m. and the last match for the day will be the boys under 18 game between Davisamara MV, Seeduwa and Senanayake MMV, Madampe at 2.30 p.m. The awards ceremony will follow with the Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha as chief guest. The guests of honour will be the Chief Minister of Western Province Prasanna Ranatunge, Sudharshani Fernandopulle the wife of the late Minister and former President of the Volleyball Federation Jeyaraj Fernandopulle, Minister and President of the SLVBF Dilan Perera.

The finals of under 18 boys and girls will be the hottest game that could be witnessed on this day as the boys and girls of Senanayake MMV, Madampe will pose a big threat to Davisamara MV, Seeduwa and Anamaduwa MMV to bag a big double on this day.

Senanayake MMV and Davisamara MV have clashed in the finals on many occasions and both sides are eagerly waiting to show their supremacy in this National Sport in which these two schools have been dominating for nearly a decade. It is sure that the better side will come out as victors today. The under 16 boys category too will witness the Senanayake come out as favourites to overrun, another strong team from Ruwanwella the Rajasinghe MMV. Though the Madampe Boys are favoured here Ruwanwella team will definitely pose a big threat and the possibility is there for them to go away with the trophy. This game too will be a keen contest.

The 11th DSI Super Sports Schools Volleyball tournament completes today setting a new record for any sport as this tournament was able to reach all parts of the country to attract the largest number of teams 4724 which almost looks as a world record. The organisers, The Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Schools Volleyball Association and the sponsors are hopeful that by next year the total number could exceed the 5000 mark to set a new record.