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| Sunday, 29 August 2004 |
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Sri Lanka to host Asian women's junior VB Sri Lanka has been given the honour and pride to host and to conduct the 12th Asian Women's Junior Volleyball Championships by the world controlling body FIV and Asian Volleyball Confederation from September 19 to 26 at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Sri Lanka is the first South Asian country to host the championship which is being competed this year by teams from China, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Japan, India, Australia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. According to Major T. M. Abeyratne Secretary Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation this is the first time in the 88 year old history of Sri Lanka volleyball since 1916 that an international championship is to be held in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation won the bid to host the championship in the Asian Volleyball Confederation held in Vietnam in 2003. The first championship was inaugurated in South Korea's Seoul in 1980 and this championships have gained lot of prominence to date. Major Abeyratne said that an estimated cost of Rs. 18 million will be spent for the championship and Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation hopes to raise the funds through the assistance of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the generous sponsors who have been supporting Sri Lanka's sporting activities. Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation has come forward as the official broadcaster of the championship and will take the opening day's and the closing day's action live to the volleyball fans. Galadari Hotel, has already confirmed their generosity as the official hotel with a very competitive sponsorship package. Major Abeyratne further added that the opening ceremony of the event will be held on September 19 at 3.00 p.m. at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse, while the closing ceremony coupled with the awards ceremony will be held on September 29 with Jizhong Wei, the President of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, as the chief guest. Maj. Abeyratne finally said that around 150 spikers from nine countries will participate in the championship which is the only country to have named volleyball as their national sport among the 218 countries affiliated to the Federation International de Volleyball.(L.F.) |
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