20th DSI Supersport School Volleyball Championship 2022 concludes successfully
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Loyola, Negombo won the U-17 Boys title
The finals of 20th DSI Supersport School Volleyball Championship took place last weekend at the Sugathadasa National Sports Indoor Stadium, Complex in Colombo 14. St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa and Tissapura Vidyalaya, Uhana claimed the Under-19 Boy’s and Girls’ titles respectively, while Loyala College, Negombo and Hungama Viyajaba National School, Hambantota were winners of the Under-17 Boy’s and Girls’ championships.
St. Joseph Vaz, Wennappuwa overcame favourites Davisamara Vidyalaya, Seeduwa in a game that was totally dominated by the eventual champions. They beat the much fancied school from Seeduwa, a reputed team in school’s volleyball, in straight sets, 25-19, 25-10 and 25-20.
St. Joseph Vaz spikers swept the individual awards on offer as Kavishka Chathumal claimed both awards for the Outstanding Player of the Tournament and Player of the Year. The award for the Best Hitter went to Daham Chamika while Rishan Senera emerged the Best Setter. Rajasinghe Central College, Ruwanwella was placed overall third, followed by St. Xavier’s College, Marawila at fourth.
U-17 Girls champion Hungama Vijayaba NS
The final between Uhana Tissapura and Galkanda Central, Pelmadulla dragged on to the fourth set, as the Girls’ Under-19 title was claimed by the Uhana school 3-1. They conceded the first set 22-25, but bounced back to claim the following three sets 25-17, 25-18 and 25-13 to win comprehensively. Anamaduwa Central College was placed overall third, while Ratnavali Girls’ School, Gampaha finished at fourth.
Here too, winners Uhana Tissapura spikers claimed all individual awards on offer as Chathuri Poornima claimed a double – the awards for the Best Player of the Tournament and Player of the Year. Sathya Sewwandi was named the Best Hitter, while R.P.K. Kalhari won the award for the Best Setter.
Loyola, Negombo won the Under-17 Boy’s title beating Pannala National School after a tight and close battle, which went down to the wire. Pannala NS won the first set 25-22, but Loyola, Negombo bounced back to claimed the second set 25-19 bringing the game to a stalemate. The third set was won by Pannala NS easily 25-17, and in a yet another strong comeback Loyola, Negombo claimed the fourth set 27-25 after a fierce battle, leaving the fifth and final set as the decider.
St. Joseph Vaz -- U-19 Boys champions
Eventually Loyola, Negombo overpowered their opponents 15-12 to claim the decisive set and the game to emerge winners. Imbulana Sri Sena National School, Ruwanwella finished third overall, followed by Amherst Tamil Vidyalaya, Udupussellawa at fourth. Hirushan Perera of Loyola, Negombo was named the Best Player, while his team mate Methum Sannada de Silva won the award for the Best Setter. Nipun Pramod Bandara of Pannala NS won the award for the Best Hitter.
Hungama Vijayaba NS had to overcome strong resistance from Uhana Tissapura to win the Under-17 Girls’ title, in a game that stretched to the fourth set. The winners won the final by 3-1, only losing the second set 21-25. They won the first and the remaining two by 25-15, 27-25 and 25-19. Walasmulla National School claimed the third position while D.S. Senanayake National School, Uhumiya was placed overall fourth.
Nethmi Divyanjali of Hungama Vijayaba NS was named the Best Player of the Tournament, as her team mate Hiruni Prabodha won the Best Setter award. D.M.S. Nishani of Uhana Tissapura won the award for the Best Hitter.
Uhana Tissapura emerged U-19 Girls champions
Sri Lanka’s number one footwear brand came forward, together with the support of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation (SLVF) and the School Volleyball Association (SVA) of the Ministry of Education, to organise this tournament, which has a significant spot in the history book of Sri Lankan volleyball.
Showcasing the company’s commitment to supporting activities aimed at empowering school children through sports and recreational activities, Managing Director of D. Samson and Sons, Thusitha Rajapaksa stated: “DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship plays a crucial role in promoting the national sport of our country. It is both a pleasure and privilege for DSI to sponsor this much anticipated annual event. The 20th edition ensued among many challenges posed by Covid-19 global pandemic and the country’s turbulent microeconomic conditions. Amid the challenges, DSI took the responsibility upon itself to ensure comfort and safety of the talented young sportsmen and women from schools across the island throughout the tournament.”
Minister of Education of Sri Lanka Susil Premajayantha graced the occasion as the chief guest amid the presence of representatives from Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and Deshamanya Nandadasa Rajapaksa, Thusitha Rajapaksa, Asanka Rajapaksa and Pradeep Samarathunga on behalf of D. Samson & Sons (Pvt.) Ltd.