The volleyball matches of the 49th National Sports Festival concluded last week at the Galle District Sports Complex Indoor Stadium. Nine provincial teams competed for the championship in both the men’s and women’s segments. After an action-packed final, the Wayamba (North Western Province) men’s team was defeated by the formidable Western Province side, who clinched the title. In the women’s segment, breaking the long-standing dominance, Sabaragamuwa Province claimed the gold medal by defeating the lasses from Eastern Province.
In the men’s segment, as usual, Western Province and Wayamba Province met in the final after defeating Central Province and Sabaragamuwa Province in the semi-finals. In the final, the two powerhouses of Sri Lankan volleyball showcased their agility, speed, power, flight, and timing. The lads from Western Province launched a fierce attack from the start, led by their 198 cm tall ace player, Ayesh Perera. Despite Wayamba’s efforts to defend with technically sound blocks and digs, the Western outfit emerged as champions with a 3–0 set victory.
In the men’s bronze medal encounter, after a close tussle, the Sabaragamuwa lads secured a podium finish by edging out the spirited Central Province side with a 3–1 set win.
Since 1991, the women’s championship has been dominated by Western and Wayamba Provinces, with the title shared between the two. However, this year brought a major upset as the determined Sabaragamuwa and Eastern Province teams defeated both volleyball giants in the semi-finals. In the final, Sabaragamuwa made a bold statement with three straight set wins. The courage and performance of the Eastern girls throughout the competition deserve high praise.
The women’s bronze medal match, which felt like a final in itself, saw Western and Wayamba Provinces battling for redemption after their shock semi-final exits. Eventually, the North Western lasses secured the bronze medal by narrowly defeating the spirited Western Province side with a 3–2 victory.
After a clinical display, Ceylon Electricity Board and Sri Lankan skipper Ayesh Perera, the attacking player from Western Province, was awarded the Best Men’s Player Award. In the women’s segment, S. D. G. H. Senarathne from Sabaragamuwa Province claimed the Best Women’s Player Award.
The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumar Gamage. Also in attendance were the Director General of the Department of Sports Development, V. Premachandiran; Internal Auditor of the Department of Sports Development, Indika Karunasena; Chief Financial Officer of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Angelo Palitha; and several other distinguished guests. Veteran volleyball coach Nadee Herath served as the chief organiser of the event.
49th National Sports Festival – Volleyball Final Results
Men’s segment
Gold Medal – Western Province
Silver Medal – North Western (Wayamba) Province
Bronze Medal – Sabaragamuwa Province
4th place – Central Province
Women’s segment
Gold Medal – Sabaragamuwa Province
Silver Medal – Eastern Province
Bronze Medal – North Western (Wayamba) Province
4th place – Western Province
 men’s outfit was defeated by the formidable Western Province side to clinch the title. In the women's segment, by breaking the hoodoo, Sabaragamuwa Province claimed the gold medal by defeating the lasses from Eastern Province.){kind=link}