22nd DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship launched
DSI, Sri Lanka’s leading footwear manufacturer, announced the launch of the 22nd DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship at a press conference held in Colombo last week. The number one footwear manufacturer in the country has come forward, with the support of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and Sri Lanka Schools Volleyball Association of the Ministry of Education, to organise this tournament, which has a significant spot in the history book of Sri Lanka’s national sport.
Initiated by DSI in 1999, along with the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and the Ministry of Education, the purpose of the championship is to provide an opportunity as well as necessary support to rural and urban volleyball players, as well as a platform of national standard for them to show off their skills and further build their careers in both the national and international arenas.
With a total of 198 teams participating in the championship from the point of initiation, the Schools Volleyball Championship has contributed to the development of nearly 400 sports
personalities. This year, the organisers expect the participation of over 4,000 teams from across the island.
Presenting the sponsorship cheque at the launch of the 21st DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship 2023 (from left): W.P.I. Samarakoon (President, Sri Lanka Schools Volleyball Association), Athula Wijewardhane (Director of Physical Education and Sports, Ministry of Education), A.S. Nalaka (General Secretary, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation), Kanchana Jayaratne (President, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and Vice President, National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka), Thusitha Rajapaksa (Managing Director, D. Samson and Sons), Asanka Rajapaksa (Director, D. Samson and Sons) and Pradeep Samarathunga (General Manager, D. Samson and Sons) at the presentation of awards
“2024 holds special significance for DSI as we mark the 22nd anniversary of the DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship. It’s both a pleasure and a privilege for DSI to be the sponsor of this highly anticipated yearly event, which serves as a stage for recognising the talents of young athletes from schools across the island. It is also our hope that the DSI Supersport Schools Volleyball Championship will play a pivotal role in nurturing and popularising volleyball as the national sport of our country,” stated Thusitha Rajapaksa, the Managing Director of D. Samson and Sons (Pvt) Ltd.
The tournament will be held at district and national levels, with the district matches taking place on the weekends of June and July. The dates reserved are June 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30, and July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21. The teams that secure the first and second places in district level competitions will qualify for the national level. The national level matches will be played from August 7 to 11 followed by the final matches that will be held on November 2 to 3, at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
“All schools, be it national, government, private or international, under the Ministry of Education, can field their teams. This is the most anticipated volleyball competition for juniors in the island, and we have witnessed a significant growth in participation over the years for the past 21 years. We expect more teams to join the competition,” stated A.S. Nalaka, the General Secretary of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation.
The age categories are Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 for both boys and girls. Applications for the tournament will be available at all DSI showrooms across the island.
“More details could be obtained by contacting Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation on 011-2669344, the 25 District Coordinators, the Secretary of Schools Volleyball Association C. L. Kumara on 0773329702, or by sending an email to A.S. Nalaka, the General Secretary, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, asnalaka@gmail.com,” stated Kanchana Jayaratne, the President of Sri Lanka
Volleyball Federation.
Completed applications can be submitted to the nearest DSI showroom or can be posted to the DSI Marketing Department at No.257, High Level Road, Navinna, Maharagama, on or before May 31.