The All Island Schools Netball Championships a much looked forward and popular schools sports event conducted for girls aspiring to reach great heights in the future will be back in action and the Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association (SLSNA) the organizers with the blessings of the Ministry of Education and support by the sponsors Nestle Lanka PLC who are sponsoring the championship for the 30th successive year have finalized arrangements to conduct the championship from September 2 to 4 at the Polonnaruwa Public ground.

This was revealed by Bandula Egodage, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Nestlé Lanka at the press briefing held at the CR&FC auditorium in Longden Place.

Speaking further he stated we think on a long term plan in supporting various schools sports associations and we are proud to have been involved with netball for the last 30 years from which we have seen it has borne fruit with young girls who where future stars have gone great heights and ended by becoming Asian champions recently.

He further elaborated that when we began the tournament there were only 70 odd teams but gradually due to the popularity it has increased to nearly 900 teams in the recent past and lastly I am glad the focus has been on the outstation which gives the outstation children the opportunity to showcase their talent.

The tournament will b e conducted in two divisions (A and B) in four age groups of under 13, 15, 17 and 19. The A division under 13 age group will comprise six teams and four each in the other three age groups while the B division tournament will be conducted in the three age groups of under 15, 17 and 17 that will comprise two teams in each group. The SLSNA are expecting the participation of over 4000 players from both the divisions.

The preliminary and qualifying matches to select the team were conducted with the participation of players in the junior and senior categories of the four age groups from the districts of Ampara, Ratnapura, Galle, Jaffna, Matara, Badulla, Kurunegala, Puttalam, Anuradhapura, Kandy, Matale, Colombo, Homagama, Gampaha and Kalutara.

Holy Family Convent Kurunegala emerged champions for the 13th successive year when the tournament was held last year in Wennappuwa and no doubt they will be looking forward to continue their domination but will face stiff opposition from Visakha Vidyalaya, Museaus College, Kalutara BV to name a few.

The opening ceremony will be held on September 2 at 9.00 a.m. with chief guest being Roshan Ranasinghe.Minister of Sports, with Upali Amaratunga, Director General, Sports and Physical, Ministry of Education, Dilruk Jayawardena, Assistant DG Sports and Physical, Ministry of Education and Ruwan Welikala gracing the occasion as guests of honour. (M. Shamil Amit / Pic: Nimalsiri Edirisinghe)

Ms. Niradha Abeywickrama, President, SLSNA receving the sponsorship package from Ruwan Welikala – Vice President, Dairy, Nestle Lanka flanked by Bandula Egadage, Vice President, Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, Nestle Lanka flanked by Sajeewa Wickramasinghe – Senior Manager, Sponsorships & Activations, Nestle Lanka, Ms. Shiromi Kuruppu – Secretary, SLSNA, Ms. Shyamen Vithanawasam, Treasurer,SLSNA, P. A. K. S. Kanchana – Tournament Secretary, SLSNA.