The Sri Lanka Air Force team won the volleyball match against Sri Lanka Army team organized by Sports Ministry in celebration of International Women’s Day 2022 worked off at Torrington Grounds, Colombo on March 8.
A volleyball match parallel to Western Province Inter-District Volleyball Tournament was organized by Sports Development Department under the direction of Sports and Youth Minister Namal Rajapaksa to mark the International Women’s Day under the theme ‘She the country and the nation and the world’.
The six teams of two teams each from Colombo, Kalutara and Gampaha districts took part in the tournament while Gampaha spikers dominated in the grand finale. Sangamitta Volleyball team obtained the champion title while Golden Birds Volleyball team became runners-up and Torrington Sports Club obtained the third place.
The champion team of the tournament received Rs. 25,000 cash prize with a trophy while runners-up and third place got Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000 respectively. Cash prizes were given to the athletes who excelled in the tournament and cash prizes were given to the six participating teams representing the three districts.
During the volleyball tournament Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa emphasized the importance of appreciating female athletes who bring international recognition and glory to the country. “There are many female athletes in Sri Lanka who have brought fame to our country. Especially those who have brought medals to the country from athletics like Susanthika Jayasinghe and Sriyani Kulawansha,” he said.
Also, our women athletes are internationally recognized in many other sports, including cricket. We believe that women athletes who have brought fame to the country in the field of sports should be commended, especially at this time of World Women’s Day. That celebration should be done today with this Women’s Day program. Sri Lanka’s Women’s Cricket is being invested in by the Sports Ministry while an island-wide talent search has been carried out in search of talented sportswomen among school girls, Minister further stated.
The Secretary to Ministry of Youth and Sports Anuradha Wijekoon, the Director General of Sports Development Department Amal Edirisuriya and officials from the Sports Development Department were also present on the occasion of prize distribution ceremony.