Beach volleyball: in sun, sea and sand

Shirajiv SIRIMANE

Beach volleyball has come to stay in Sri Lanka. Today, this sport, in tropical climes where the sun, sea and sand go in unison in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka, has decorated beach volleyball. So much so, that a Sunday morning in breezy climes in the ideal scenario not only in competitive sport, but also for holidaymakers who love to revel in the sand under the sun completes the day. Recently, the Bentota beach resort came alive in two action packed days of drama that unfolded at the sandy beaches of Beruwela and Beach Volleyball was at its best when the Mobitel beach volleyball championship 2009 was concluded at the picturesque Club Bentota.

The usual calm beaches of Beruwela saw a total 15 men and women teams taking the spike to one another a close encounters. In the final the high riding Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) team was humiliated by the `Village’ boys when Indunil A team from the nearby Moragolla area beat them after a grueling and nail biting final.

Though the victors may have lacked technique, experience it was the crowd advantage that drove the home team to a historic triumph over the rival. In the women’s event which lacked luster it turned out to be a home and home battle with the host hotel Club Bentota C team having the better of the A team.

Gayan Dilruk despite being in the losing side (SLPA) was awarded the Player of the series award.

Executive Assistant Manager Club Bentota, Paradise Island, C.A. Cruse said that event was very popular among the guests and visitors and there were numerous requests to host a event of this magnitude again.

Club Bentota, Mount Lavinia Hotel, and Crystal Holidays organized the event while it was sponsored by Mobitel. Sri Lanka Volleyball federation officiated. Chief Guest was Chief Executive Officer, Mobitel, Suren J. Amarasekera. A total of Rs. 40,000 was given for cash awards in addition to trophies and certificates.

Beach volleyball, or sand volleyball, is an Olympic team sport played on sand. Like other variations of volleyball, two teams, separated by a high net, try to score points against the other by grounding a ball on the other team’s court. Competitive beach volleyball teams usually consist of two players, though recreational variations can contain up to six players.

Originating in Southern California, beach volleyball now enjoys worldwide popularity, even in countries without traditional beaches, like Switzerland.