A record number of 65,000 players in the fray
The glamorous DSI Supersport Volleyball Championship 2013, which spreads out for the 15th consecutive year, kicked off last Thursday with a record number of 65000 players representing 5500 schools teams from all over the island.
Stakeholders of the competition, namely the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, the Schools Volleyball Association and the sponsors D.
Minister Dilan Perera, the head of SLVF receives sponsorship package from Nandana Rajapakse, the Chairman of DSI
Samson and Sons braced great pride in relating the pressmen on their hard journey since 1999 that helped this competition reach its present status. According to official statistics, the competition just had 198 school teams representing the age groups of Under-12, 14, 16 and 18, which was a reasonable tally for the sport that is tagged as the national sport of Sri Lanka.
“Back in 1999, this was a concept which was initiated in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, DSI and the Ministry of Education. Owing to this championship programme, teams have gained immense momentum and popularity over the past 14 years. Undoubtedly, DSI has successfully and steadfastly fostered Sri Lanka’s volleyball through the years through this competition, with many of the talented representing the country. The number of 198 has reached the magical figure of 5500 teams and the number of players has increased closer to 65000 by today. These are the facts that make volleyball the most popular sport in Sri Lanka,” Minister Dilan Perera, the president of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation briefed the journalists at a press conference last Tuesday in Colombo.
The tournament which began on Thursday at district level will continue until July 21 before it reaches the provincial stage.
Teams will be pruned down when it hits the provincial stage which begins on August 3 and end on August 11. After a break of four weeks the tournament will recommence at national level with matches scheduled from October 4 to 6 with the final stage of the tournament followed to be played on October 25 and 26. For the first time in history, the finals will be played at the newly opened Indoor Stadium in Nawalapitiya. – NA
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