Volleyball: Over 100 teams in Mercantile Championship 2016

Over 100 teams will vie for honours in the 1st Round of the Mercantile Volleyball Championship conducted by the Mercantile Volleyball Association (MVA), on August 20 and 21 at the National Youth Services Centre (NYSC), Maharagama, with the finals scheduled for September 16 and 17. 

With overall prize money of Rs 1 million, the competition will be conducted under three categories- Super League, Championship and Division 'A' for Men and Women. 

The Best Men's Player in the Super League will receive a motorcycle, while the Best Women's Player will receive a scooter. 

Winning teams are assured of big cash awards, along with the Runners-up, 3rd Placed teams and Best Players in all the categories will receive cash awards. 

At the launch held at the National Olympic House Auditorium in Colombo, MVA President Col. Sujith Jayasekera revealed that more than 500 National VB players are employed in the Mercantile Sector. 

“These coaches are drawing salaries ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000. Because of this, the Mercantile sector is producing more and more National players. At the moment, the 18th Asian Junior Men’s Championships is being conducted in Chinese Taipei, while the Women’s competition will be from July 23 onwards in Thailand. Four players, 2 each from Men and Women from the Mercantile sector, are taking part in the competitions,” Col. Jayasekara stated. 

Col. Jayasekera went on to say that the MVA has not forgotten the services rendered by the veterans and will extend all facilities towards them, like it did last year. 

Several top rank organisations have come forward this year as sponsors of the Mercantile Volleyball Championship. 

Sunquick, Lanka Tiles and David Peiris Motor Co. have come forward as Gold sponsors, while Silver sponsors are Damro and Expo Lanka (EFI), Singer, Textured Jersey, Sri Lanka Insurance, Dialog and Vogue Tex are the Bronze sponsors. 

There will also be many other events to keep the spirit and excitement high during the preliminary rounds as well as during the finals, such as selection of the Lucky Team and the Best Coach. 

Closing date for applications is July 31. 

Further details could be obtained by calling Chandana on 0710682682 or Hiranya on 0772963170 or by logging on to www.mercantilevolleyballsl.com or by e-mailing to mvasrilanka@gmail.com. 

Applications can be posted to the Mercantile Volleyball Association, 33, Torrington Place, Colombo 7 with ‘Mercantile Volleyball 2016’ marked on top left-hand corner of envelope.