Dialog Telekom President's Gold cup VB C'ship matches in full swing

The finals of district level matches of Dialog Telekom President's Gold Cup Volleyball Championships were held during the weekend in 19 districts including Ampara and Trincomalee, where 430 men's and women's teams participated islandwide.

The official opening ceremony was held at the Municipal Grounds, Tangalle last Saturday. The chief guest was the President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation and the Deputy Minister of Justice and Law Reforms, Constitutional Affairs and National Integration, Dilan Perera, General Secretary of the Volleyball Federation Susil Ranasinghe and SSP Tangalle Upali Hewage were also present.

This is the second consecutive year that Dialog Telekom is sponsoring the event. The number of teams participating in the tournament this year is higher than the number of teams that participated last year. "This is an increase of 18 teams compared to last year. There is a significant increase of numbers of the rural area teams this time", the Volleyball Federation said.

The four teams that qualified for the finals of men and women at the District level will participate the Provincial level matches on 8th and 10th.

The national winners of men and women categories of the competition will receive the glittering Dialog Telekom President's Gold Cup-2006 and Rs. 100,000 cash prizes each on August 5th. The runners-up will receive Rs. 40,000 each and the runners-up trophy. The third place will receive the Cup and cash prizes with Rs. 25,000.

The Dialog G.S.M. has taken steps to give special awards and cash prizes to the players who excel at the tournament.

A record 44 teams were contested in the Hambantota district and 55 men and women teams participated in Anuradhapura district preliminary round matches.

The men's winners of the Matara District semi finals were: Pubudu S. C., Madihe (2/0) against Lucky S. C. Belliwatte, Suhada S. C. Pasgoda (2/0) against Nilmini S. C. Matara. Suhada S. C. pasgoda was victorious in the final against Lukcy S. C. Belliwatte (3/0) and entered the Provincial level.

The women's winner of the Matara District semi finals were: Urubokka S. C. (2/0) against Hakmana S. C. and Deniyaya S. C. won (2/0) against Nilmini S. C. Matara. Deniyaya S. C. was victories in the finals against Urubokka S. C. (3/0) and entered the Provincial levels.

The men's winners of the Galle District semifinals are Thotagamuwa S. C. against Dilenatharu S. C. (2/0) and Sagara S. C., Bentota, who beat Negenatharu S. C. Batuwanhena (2/0).

Sagara S. C., Bentota and Thotagamuwa S. C. played at the finals and Thotagamuwa S. C. won (2/0).

The women's winners of the Galle District semifinals were: Wijaya S. C., Gonapeenuwala against Kalupe S. C. (2/0) and Thotagamuwa S. C. who beat Baddegama S. C. (2/0). At the women's finals, Thotagamuwa S. C. beat Wijaya S. C., Gonapeenuwala (2/0) comprehensively and entered the Provincial levels.

Kurunegala district matches were played at the Technical College Grounds. Kuliyapitiya.

At the men's semifinals Ridigama S. C. won against Jolly Boys S. C. (2/0). Chaya S. C., Thalgaspitiya was victories against Sri Parakum S. C. Bingiriya (3/0) at the other semifinal. At the final Chaya S. C. Thalgaspitiya won (3/0) against Ridigama S. C. and booked places at the Provincial levels. Women's semifinals were not played because only two teams participated. At the final, Tharaunapela S. C., Dambadeniya beat Navodya S. C. Bopitiya (3/0).

Kandy District matches were played at the Public Grounds, Gtambe. In the men's semifinals, Smart Shirts S. C. Hunnasgiriya won (2/0) against Gampola S. C. Ekamuthu S. C. Wattegama won (2/0) against Vishva S. C. Godagandeniya. At the men's final, Ekamuthu S. C. Waththegama beat Smart Shirts S. C. Hunnasgiriya (3/1) in a hard-fought game and entered the Provincial level matches that will play next weekend.

Women's semifinal was won by Devians S. C., Kandy (2/0) against Smart Shirts S. C., Hunnasgiriya. The other semifinals was won by Gemunu S. C. beating O and S Sports Club (2/1). At the final, Davians S. C., Kandy defeated Gemunu S. C. (3/1).

Anuradhapura District matches were played at The Public Grounds. Men's final was won by Eksath Tharunahanda S. C. gainst Sarasavi S. C., Eliyadiwlwewa (3/0).

Anuradhapura District Women's semifinals were won by Central S. C. (3/0) against Mahinda S. C. and Sri Sumangala S. C., Himbutugollewa against Samadi S. C., Pandikaramaduwa (3/0). At the final, Central S. C. beat Sri Sumangala S. C. (3/1).

Kalutara District matches were held at the Pothupitiya M.V. Grounds. Pothupitiya Lucky Six S. C. Eksath S. C. Walagedara, Panadura T. C. and Gamini S. C. Rambukkana, were the teams that entered the men's semifinals. In the final Lucky Six S. C. beat Gamini S. C. (3/1). In the women's semifinals Granma S. C., were victories at the semifinals against Eksath S. C. (2/0). Pothupitiya Veterans S. C. defeated TCC S. C. Horana (2/0). In the final, TCC S. C. beat Granma S. C. (3/1) and entered the Provincial levels.

Colombo District preliminary round matches were held at the Police Grounds, Mirihana in the men's semifinals, Eksath S. C. Mirihana defeated Kolonnawa S. C. (3/0) Balares S. C., Boralesgamuwa defeated Kapila S. C. at a hard fought game for (3/2). Balares S. C. Boralesgamuwa and Eksath S. C., Mirihana, qualified for the finals.

Only two teams participated for the women's category and they namely, Central S. C. from Kolonnawa and Kapila S. C. from Siyabalagoda entered the final and Kapila S. C. won (3/1).

Puttlam District matches were held at the Pradesheeya Sabha Grounds, Madampe. In the men's semifinals, Thoduwawa S. C. Mahawewa beat Naththandiya S. C. (2/1). Next semifinal between Koswadiya S. C. and Dankotuwa S. C. and Koswadiya S. C. won (2/1).

In the final, Thoduwawa S. C. beat Koswadiya S. C. (3/0). No matches were played under the women category because only United S. C., Naththandiya, applied and it has qualified for the Provincial level matches.

In Ratnapura District, Lucky S. C. Pussella beat Arunalu S. C. (3/0) in the men's final. In the women's final Madura Rantharu S. C. beat Pragathi S. C. comprehensively (3/0) and booked placed at the Provincial level matches.

Ampara District matches were played at the Police Grounds, Ampara, Men's final won by Rashmee S. C. against Thurunu Sith S. C. (3/0). In the women's final, Lakmal S. C. beat Pragathi S. C. (3/1) without much effort.

Monaragala District matches were played at the Municipal grounds, Monaragala. In the men's final Rantharu S. C. Mabulla beat New Six S. C. (3/2). The women's final was won by Siyabalanduwa S. C. (3/0) against Dambagalle S. C. and entered the Provincial levels.

At the Siyanee Tharu Grounds, Gampaha District matches were played. West Town S. C. Negombo and Eakamuthu S. C. Raddoluwa entered men's final. Women's final was won by Siyanee Tharu S. C. against Deepthi S. C. (3/1).

Hambantota District matches were played at the Municipal Grounds, Tangalle. Men's final won by Aruna S. C. Thalagamwaduwa, defeating Medamulana S. C. (3/0). Women's final won by Wijayaba S. C. against High Riders S. C. (3/1) and entered the Provincial levels that will play next weekend.

At Dudley Senanayake Grounds, Polonnaruwa District, matches were played. Tharaka S. C. was victorious against Pragathi S. C. (2/0) in the men's final. Women's final won by Ekamuthu S. C. against Youth League S. C. (2/0).

Nuwara Eliya District matches were held at the Municipal Grounds, Hatton. Men's final won by Tamil Youth S. C. against Sparks S. C. (3/1). Women's final won by Gabriel's S. C. against Randeepa S. C. (2/1).

Matale District matches were played at the Bernard Aluvihare Grounds. Men's final won by Young Shirts S. C. against Samanala S. C. (3/0). Women's final won by Weeraparakrama (A) S. C. against Weerakeppetipola S. C. (3/0).

Kegalle District men's final won by Rantharu S. C. against Wijaya S. C. (2/1). Women's final won by Maya S. C. Kegalle against Lanka Lions S. C. (3/0).

Badulla District matches were played at the Volleyball grounds Hali-Ela. Men's final won by Dambethenna S. C. against Volleyball S. C., Bandarawela (2/0). Women's final won by Kithalelle S. C. against Allegama S. C. (2/1).

Trincomalee District men's final won by Rantharu S. C. (3/1) against Sodiac S. C. Women's final won by Mihindupura S. C. against Rantharu S. C. (2/0).