23rd Milo Schools Netball Finals at Beliatta
The finals of the 23rd Milo Inter-Schools Netball Championship conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association (SLSNA) and sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd have been slotted to be held from June 21 to 23 at the D.A. Rajapaksa ground in Beliatta.
This was revealed by Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola, president of the SLSNA at a press briefing held at the CR and FC auditorium.
Mrs. Sandamali Aviruppola President of SLSNA is seen receiving the Milo Trophy which will be awarded to the overall winners from Norman Kannangara, Asst VP Beverages Nestle PLC. Also in the picture (from left) are Sajeewa Wickramasinghe (Manager Activation and Sponsorship - Nestle), Shyama Vithanawasam (Treasurer SLSNA), Bandula Egodage (Asst VP Corporate Affairs - Nestle), Shiromi Kuruppu (Secretary SLSNA) and Desima Fernando (Tournament Secretary SLSNA).
The tournament sponsored by Nestle Lanka Ltd for the 23rd time will be conducted in two divisions A and B in the age groups of Under-14, 16 and 18 while the Under-13 category which has been scheduled to be held will not be a tournament abiding to a circular sent to the schools by the Minister of Education.
The main objective of the SLSNA is to improve the standard of the game and encourage outstation schools to participate. The added feature this year is that there is an increased participation of schools from the north and east districts.
The qualifying round matches around the island namely Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Homagama, Galle, Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, Badulla, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Puttalam and Ampara have been completed.
The SLSNA is thinking on a long term plan in supporting various schools sports associations.
Last year the finals were held at the Piliyandala MMV ground in Piliyandala where the queens of school netball Holy Family Convent Kurunegala emerged overall champion for the sixth successive year. The girls from the rock city came out on top in two of the three age groups in the Division A (under 14 and 16) and secured the third slot in the under 18 category while Sangaraja BV Keragala, Mahakeliya MV Wariyapola and Ketapathwehera BV Kurunegala came out on top in the three age groups of Division B.
The chief guest at the opening ceremony will be Shan Wijayalal, Chief Miniister Southern Province while the chief guest at the closing ceremony will be Namal Rajapaksa MP.