Munchee National VB Championship finals today

Bernard PERERA

Volleyball fraternity in Sri Lanka is to witness some enthralling volleyball when the finals of Munchee national Volleyball Championship 2011 will get under way on 7 May 2011 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. On this day both Division I and Division II finals of men and women will be worked off with the division II matches played first.

The Super League final will see the two top teams Sri Lanka Ports Authority take on the spikers Sri Lanka Navy, while the women category is competed by Sri Lanka Air Force and the women of Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau.

In this final Sri Lanka Ports Authority comes out as the favorite team due to the fact Sri Lanka Navy is facing a major final of this sport for the first time in the history of Volleyball for Sailors. Portmen are a set of spikers who have faced many finals and are packed with many national players in their pack. But the Sailors are sure to make every effort to overcome their opponents by posing a big challenge in this final.

The women's final between strong Air Force Women and the Foreign Employment Bureau to can be considered as a tough one for both teams. The Air women has a slight advantage with their physical fitness which can be a tough task for the Employment Bureau women to overcome in this game. However both teams are expected give their best in this final.

Sri Lanka Army the defending champions in the men's section and the Ports Authority Women failed to reach the finals this year. In Division II mens final Sri Lanka Army, Kandy will take on National Youth Services Council team. While in the women's class it will be CasualLine Sports Club that will meet Vijaya Sports Club from Koswadiya.

The semifinals of the division II was worked off in Nawalapitiya recently. Where Sri Lanka Army, Kandy defeated Gunners SC from Minneriya to qualify for this final, while in the next semi final National Youth Services Council beat Sri Lanka Army, Eheliyagoda to make their way to the final. The tournament was conducted by the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation with Ceylon Biscuits Ltd as the main sponsor.

Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage, President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Minister Dilan Perera, Minister Pavitra Wanniarchchi, Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Commander of the Navy, Commander of the Air Force, Group Director Ceylon Biscuits Ltd Nandana Wickramage and a host of distinguished invitees are due to witness these finals.

Division II semi finals (Men): SL Army Kandy beat Gunners Sports Club, Minneriya. National Youth Services Council beat SL Army Eheliyagoda.

Women: Casualine Sports Club, Mawathagama beat Torrington Sports Club Colombo. Vijaya Sports Club beat Mihindupura Sports Club, Trincomalee.