Sri Lanka women’s beach volleyball teams won one title and finished runners-up in two other groups at the Central Asian Zone Beach Volleyball Championships to coincide with the 74th Independence Day of Sri Lanka at the Negombo Beach Park last weekend.
The championship was played for the Independence Cup between five countries, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Maldives, Iran and Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lanka men had to be content with the runner-up position when they failed to play in the final due to the injury caused to the hero of the team Tyrone Jayatilleke.
Iran who was rated as favourites, kept to their rating and went on to carry away the title with Sri Lanka taking the second slot. Sri Lanka entered three teams in the men’s and women’s category.
In the women’s final it was a home and home affair with Sri Lanka Team One meeting Sri Lanka Team Three and the former cruised to an easy win to win the trophy at home. It marked the first occasion when the local lasses won an international championship.
The three men teams comprised Tyronne Jayatilleke and Ashen Rashmika (1), Nalin Perera and Malintha Yapa (2) and Sandun Madushanka and Anjana Sandeepa (3).
The women’s teams comprised Dinesha Prasadini and Deepika Bandara (1), Hasini Malsha and Chathurika Madushani (2) and Shehani Asanga and Sulochana Jayawardena (3).
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Namal Rajapaksa was the chief guest on day two. Speaking of the Championship he said that it was held in a well organised manner and full credit should go to the Volleyball Federation for a job well done.
On the final day the president of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation Kanchana Jayaratne was the chief guest and presented the Awards.