The Mercantile Volleyball Association announced its biggest event of their sporting calendar, the Mercantile Volleyball Championship at a press briefing held at the National Olympic Council Auditorium on Tuesday.
Lakmal Jayasinghe, president of the Association addressing the media said that the Championships which was revived after 12 years has made big strides and it has seen most of the affiliated firms take a keen interest in the sport. This was proved beyond doubt when participation increased year by year and last year it rose to 96 teams. This year the Association hopes it will reach the three figure mark.
The Championship is scheduled to be played under three categories men and women Super League, Championship and ‘A’ Division. The first round matches are scheduled to be played on September 7 and 8 at the National Youth Centre, Maharagama on 12 outdoor courts. Meanwhile the organizers have made arrangements to conduct the final round matches at indoor courts at the same venue on November 2 and 3.
Eight men’s team will be in battle for the Super League and six women’s teams are already in this category.
The Men’s Super League winner will receive the Champions Trophy plus a cash award of Rs. 150,000, first runner up 100,000 and second runner up 50.000 while the winner in the women’s category in the same class are to go away with the Trophy and Rs. 100,000, first runner up Rs. 50,000 and second runner up Rs. 25,000 according to the organisers.
Championship winner (male) will be entitled to a Trophy plus Rs. 100,000, first runner up Rs. 50,000, second runner up 25,000 while the women will be presented with a Trophy plus Rs. 80,000, first runner up Rs. Rs.40,000 and second runner up 25,000.
The ‘A’ Division winner (men) will get a Trophy plus Rs. 30,000, first runner up 20,000 and second runner up Rs. 10,000, women Trophy plus Rs. 30,000 first runner up Rs. 20,000, second runner up Rs.10,000. In addition to these awards there are many special awards for Best Spiker, Best Setter and Player of the Final.
The most valuable Player of the Championship in both men and women categories are to receive a motor cycle (men) and a scooter for women.
The Platinum sponsor for this year’s Championship will be MAS Holdings while the gold sponsors are Sunquick, Brandix, Lanka Tiles, David Pieris Motor Company, Expo Lanka, Sri Lanka Telecom and other co-sponsors Omega Line, Ocean Lanka, Maliban, JAT Holdings and Asia Broadcasting.
Entries for the Championships will close August 15 addressed to The Mercantile Volleyball Association, No.33, Torrington Place, Colombo 7. Further information could be obtained by dialing 0710 682 682 Chandana or 0776 485456 Buddhi.