Gold Cup and Rs. one lakh each await winners of Dialog-Telekom VB

Thirty two teams - the winners and the runners-up of the Provincial Level matches have qualified to play for the National Level matches in the Dialog - Telekom President's Gold Cup Volleyball Championships 2006.

The National Level matches in the women's tournament will be played on July 16 and 17 and the men's tourney the National Level matches will be played on July 18 and 19 and these matches will be played at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on August 5.

The National winners of men's and women's tourneys will receive the Dialog GSM President's Gold Cup 2006 and Rs. 100,000 cash prize each on August 5. The runners-up will receive Rs. 40,000 each and the runners-up trophy. The team placed third will receive the Cup and Rs. 25,000 each.

Sponsors Dialog, GSM will give special awards cash prizes to the players who excel at the tourney.

The Provincial level matches of Dialog - Telekom President's Gold Cup-Volleyball Championship were held last weekend in 7 provinces, where more than 60 men and women teams took part. The winners and the runners-up of the District level matches that were held on 1st and 2nd qualified for the Provincial level matches. This tourney is organised by The Volleyball Federation with the sponsorship of Dialog GSM for the second consecutive year.

The Provincial Level matches were held at Mirihana Police Grounds, Tangalle Municipal grounds, Technical College grounds, Kuliyapitiya, Dudley Senanayake grounds Hingurakgoda, Getabe grounds Kandy, Lucky grounds Pussella and Public grounds Moneragala.

In the Eastern Province, Provincial matches were not played due to the security reasons and the transport problems. The winners and the runners-up teams of Ampara and Trincomalee District straightaway qualified for the national level matches that will be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo on 5th August.

At the Southern Province men's final that was held at Municipal grounds, Tangalle, Aruna S. C. Thalagamwaduwa beat Thotagamuwa S. C. (3/0). Scores were 22/25, 20/25 and 21/25. The women's final Wijayaba S. C., Hungama beat Deniyaya S. C. (3/0). Scores were; 25/15, 25/18 and 25/20.

At the North Western Province men's final that took place at the Technical College grounds, Kulliyapitiya, Thoduwawa S. C. Puttlam beat Koswadiya S. C. (3/2, Scores were; 20/25, 27/29, 25/23, 25/9 and 20/18). In the women's final Chauvaline Navodya S. C. beat Tharunapela S. C. (3/2). Scores were; 14/25, 25/22, 19/25, 25/20 and 8/15. Western Province matches were held at the Police grounds, Mirihana, in the Western Province men's final Ekamuthu S. C. Raddoluwa beat Lucky Six S. C. Pothupitiya (3/0). Scores were: (21/25, 16/25 and 15/25). In the women's final, TCC S. C. beat Kapila S. C. Siyabalagoda (3/0) Scores were: (12/25, 9/25 and 20/25).

Sabaragamuwa Province matches were held at the Lucky grounds, Pussella. In the men's final Rantharu S. C. Debegama beat Vijaya S. C.Wendala (3/1) Scores were: 25/19, 10/25, 19/25, 20/25. In the women's final Rantharu S. C. Mudduwa beat Maya S. C. Kegalle (3/0) Scores were: 25/22, 25/17 and 25/22. Uva Province matches were held at the Municipal grounds, Monaragala. In the men's final Volleyball S. C., Bandarawela beat Rober S. C. (3/0). Scores were: 22/25, 26/28 and 17/25. In the women's final Siyabalanduwa S. C. beat Navaudara S. C. Siyabalanduwa (3/1). Scores were: 25/27, 24/26, 25/12 and 16/26.

Central Province matches were held at the People's grounds, Gatambe. In the men's final, Tamil Youth S. C. beat Samanala S. C. (3/2). Scores were: 25/21, 18/25, 25/20, 23/25 and 9/15. In the women's final, Davians S. C. beat Gamunu S. C. (3/0). Scores were: 24/25, 21/25 and 15/25.

North Central Province matches were held at the Dudley Senanayake grounds, Hingurakgoda. In the men's final,Pragathi S. C. Polonnaruwa beat Eksath Tharuna Handa S. C. Medawachchiya (3/1). Scores were: 25/20, 25/24, 19/25 and 25/23. In the women's final, Central S. C., Anuradhapura beat Ekamuthu S. C., Diwlankadawala (3/0). Scores were: 25/25, 18/25, 8/25 and 20/25.

32 teams, the winners and the runners up of the Provincial level matches have qualified for the national level matches. The women's National level matches will be played on 16th and 17th and Men's National level matches will be played on 18th and 19th at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo on August 5th.

The national winners of men and women categories of the competition will receive the glittering Dialog GSM President's Gold Cup-2006 and Rs. 100,000 cash prices each on August 5th.

The runners up will receive Rs. 40,000 each and the runners up trophy.

The third place will walk away with the cup and cash prices with Rs. 25,000. The Dialog GSM has taken steps to give special awards and cash prices to the players who excel at the tournament.