Sports
Dialog Powers President’s Gold Cup Volleyball
Sri Lanka’s premier volleyball tournament, the Dialog President’s Gold Cup, sponsored by Sri Lankan’s premier connectivity provider Dialog Axiata PLC, is set to kick off on the 30th March with a record-breaking number of teams participating. This year’s edition will feature more than 2500 teams and will be contested as an Under – 25 competition, with the age limit restricted to 25 by the organisers.
The tournament will unfold in three stages: Provincial, National, and Final. The Western Provincial tournament got underway this week at the Horana Municipal Stadium and is scheduled to conclude in April. This will be followed by the National stage in June and July, culminating in the finals later in 2024.
With a rich history spanning nearly 25 years, the President’s Gold Cup is organised by the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation. Over four months, the competition spans the entire island, attracting teams from more than 300 Grama Seva divisions. Matches progress from the district to national levels, serving as a platform to unearth and nurture new talent for the national junior and senior teams through advanced training programmes. This year, the tournament catering to athletes under 25 fulfills the demand for a national-level competition for young sportsmen and women. It aims to identify talented young players for the national team.
“Hosting a tournament for those under 25 is a crucial investment for the future. This is the group that aspires to join the national team, and this tournament will help us identify talent and bring them into the national level. We are grateful to Dialog Axiata PLC for their support over the last two decades. I would also like to thank them for the continuous support they have provided to the National Volleyball team over the years.” ,” remarked Kanchana Jayaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation.
“Dialog Axiata, as a staunch supporter of Sri Lankan sports with the aim of powering the champions of tomorrow, is delighted to continue its partnership with the National Volleyball Federation for the 14th year in sponsoring the President’s Gold Cup,” stated Lasantha Theverapperuma – Group Chief Marketing Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC.
Playing just his second Test and the first in his team’s starting XI, Pasindu Sooriyabandara made Sri Lanka dream of the rarest of possibilities, but reality imposed itself on the SSC late on day four as India regained their grip on a Test match that had seemed to spiral out of control after the threat of bad weather led them to enforce the follow-on.
After Sooriyabandara put on 58 with Kamil Mishara for the second wicket and 115 with Kamindu Mendis for the third, Sri Lanka were at one stage 209 for 3, or just four runs behind with seven second-innings wickets in hand, on a day-four pitch that was still looking excellent for batting. India’s bowlers were into their 149th over across two consecutive innings, and looking short of both penetration and inspiration against a top order that had never allowed them to settle into their lengths.
Just then, however, Manav Suthar, who had borne the brunt of Sri Lanka’s positive intent, dismissed Dhananjaya de Silva and then Sooriyabandara in the space of two overs, the latter out eight short of a maiden Test hundred. Soon after, Saransh Jain trapped Niroshan Dickwella lbw, and Sri Lanka were effectively 5 for 6. By the time rain arrived to bring an early end to the day, Sri Lanka’s seventh-wicket pair had only added a further 11 runs to their tally.
If Sri Lanka still retain any hope going into the final day of this series, it will rest on the shoulders of Sonal Dinusha, batting on 7 in his final innings of a remarkable series. Earlier in the day, he had converted his overnight 85 into his second century of the series, with his only other completed innings bringing him 84.
Scores:
Sri Lanka 290 in 89.4 overs (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 80, Sonal Dinusha 103; Prasidh Krishna 3-52, Manav Suthar 3-85) and 229 for 6 in 72.4 overs (f/o) (Pasindu Sooriyabandara 92, Kamindu Mendis 55, Sonal Dinusha 7*; Manav Suthar 2-81) lead India 503 for 9 dec by 16 runs
[Cricinfo]
- Confirmation of the minutes of the 94th Annual General Meeting of BCCI held on September 28, 2025, at BCCI Headquarters, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Election and induction of 2 (two) representatives of the General Body in the Governing Council of the IPL.
- Induction of 1 (one) representative of the Indian Cricketer’s Association in the Governing Council of the IPL.
- Adoption of the Report of the Secretary for the year 2025-26 under review.
- Copies of the audited Statement of Accounts of BCCI for the year FY 2025-2026 including schedule for any tour or tours.
- Adoption of the Treasurer’s Report and the audited accounts for the year FY 2025-2026.
- Adoption of the Annual Budget for FY 2026-27.
- Appointment of the Auditor or Auditors for FY 2026-27 and fix their remuneration.
- Appointment of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.
- Appointment of the Standing Committees, Cricket Committees and Umpire Committee as mentioned in Rules 25, 26 and 27 respectively.
- Consideration of:(a) The Report and recommendations of the Apex Council, the CEO and the Committees and to propose policy directions to the Apex Council.(b) The Report and recommendations of the Governing Council and to propose policy directions to the Governing Council.(c) The reports of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer and any recommendations made therein.
- Report of the Internal Committee of BCCI formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.
- Grant of Associate Membership to Cricket Association Andaman & Nicobar Island for the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Consideration of any motion, notice whereof is given by a Full Member to the Secretary, 21 (twenty-one) days before the meeting.
- To appoint the BCCI’s Representative or Representatives on the International Cricket Council and/or any similar organization.
- Ratification of rules framed by the Apex Council, in terms of Rule 15 of BCCI’s Rules and Regulations.
- Consideration of any business, which the President may consider necessary to be included in the agenda.
- Transaction of any other business of an informal character as may be permitted by the Chairperson.
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