Galigamuwa Central wins seven Volleyball Championships
The girls of Galigamuwa Central College, a leading school in the Kegalle District, won seven volleyball competitions at all island level in 2016 thus displaying their skills in the sport in no uncertain terms.
They bagged five championship titles, one runners-up berth and three third places. The team is under 18 years of age. But they have displayed their skills in the sport at every age level.
Galigamuwa Central Team – 1st Row (Sandaya KumarI, Kawindi Asanthika, Rashmi Diwyanjali, Chatunimaduwanthika, Nimeshika Sewwandi, Sunethra Priyadarshani (Team Capten), Imanthiumayangana, Piumi lakmali, Tharushi Nethmini)
Last year they won the Rupavahini All Island Volleyball championships, the Youth (under 29) All Island Championships, DSI Super sports All Island under 18 championships, National School Games under 19 championships and Munchee National Novices All Island Championships.
They were runners-up in the DSI Super sports under 16 All Island competition. They were placed third at the National School Games under 17 competition, third at the National Sports Festival and third at the Dialog President’s Gold Cup under 22 contest.
Galigamuwa Central School play under their school name at inter-school competitions. At the club level they play as Boyagama Sri Parakum Sports Club.
Nimeshika Sewandi, a player in the team, was selected as the Best player in the past. She was chosen as the Best player in seven contests last year. In 2013 she was adjudged the Best player at the DSI Super sports.
At the DSI Supersports 2016 contest, the Rupavahini Volleyball Tournament 2016, Youth Sports Festival 2016, National School Games and the Munchee National Volleyball Tournament the team did extremely well to win the titles.
At the DSI Supersports in 2016 she was selected as the Best player for 2016.
Sunethra Priyadarshani, also a member of Galigamuwa Central, was chosen as the Best setter in five contests. Chathuni Maduwanthika was selected as the Best dasher in three competitions. Dilukshi Harshani was selected as the Best dasher in three contests.
These school and clubs have been in the forefront of the sport since the year 2012. During that time they have won 18 competitions at all island level. This is the first time that a women’s volleyball team has done so well.
Taking a look at their background, they hail from poor families. Their parents are not regular salary earners.
They have won these titles without a sponsor and they have defeated top class schools and clubs at these competitions. They take part in competitions from the monies that they have collected from their families and their teachers.
The coach of the team is Amila Eranga, who has passed the international coaching stage one. He is s holder of a degree from the Kelaniya University. “I have not charged a single cent from these players for my coaching. If there is a sponsor to help the team, they can easily become top class international players. There are 16 players who represent the club and school. All of them are under 18 years of age,” he concluded.