SIYANETHARU, GOLDEN BIRDS EMERGE CHAMPIONS
Siyanetharu Sports Club, Gampaha and Golden Birds Sports Club, Radawana clinched the men’s and women’s titles respectively at the 14th Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship held at the National Youth Services Council Indoor Stadium in Maharagama on Saturday.
It is the first time Champions Siyanetharu SC won back-to-back titles in their history, having produced many national players as the country’s oldest volleyball club.
It is significant to note that veteran volleyball coach Wijeyadasa Samaraweera has been coaching Siyanetharu SC for more than 50 years.
Siyanetharu SC had to pull out all stops to overcome Rantharu Sport Club, Debegama, who also had many national players, in a closely contested men’s final which ended 3 – 2. After losing the first two sets 23/25 and 16/25, Rantharu SC bounced back to equalize by winning the next two sets 25/21 and 25/19 before Siyanetharu SC won the decider 15/12.
Golden Birds SC coasted to a 3 – 1 victory over Rathanapala SC, Mahausweva in the women’s final. Golden Birds won the first two sets 25/19 and 25/21 and were edged out 30/28 in the marathon third set but sealed the win with a 25/23 score in the fourth set.
This is the 2019 edition of the tournament organised by the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation in collaboration with Dialog Axiata with the finals being worked following strict health regulations because of the coronavirus pandemic with limited spectators.