Sports
A record 84 teams to compete at Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024
Blockbuster tournament kicks off on June 14
In its commitment to nurturing budding sports talents and fostering future champions, Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, is once again fueling the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024. A record 84 school teams will compete across three divisions, setting a new benchmark in the history of the Schools Rugby League. The increased number of schools is a result of Dialog’s continued efforts in supporting Schools Rugby over the past years, including initiatives such as development tournaments. The much-awaited season will kick off with the Division 1 Segment A clash on 14th June at Havelock Grounds.
As the principal sponsor, Dialog Axiata PLC has made arrangements to live broadcast the tournament on Dialog Television – ThePapare TV (channel number 63), ThePapare TV HD (channel number 126), Dialog ViU, and Thepapare.com, catering to the interests of current and former students, parents, supporters, well-wishers, and the rugby-loving community in Sri Lanka.
Sixteen schools will vie for the Division I Segment A title in the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2024 and features defending champions St. Peter’s College, last year’s runners-up Royal College, along with Isipathana College, St. Joseph’s College, Trinity College, Wesley College, Vidyartha College, S. Thomas’ College, Science College, St Anthony’s College, Dharmaraja College, Kingswood College, D.S. Senanayake College, Zahira College, together with Thurstan College, Colombo, and Sumangala College, Kandy, who were promoted from Division 1 Segment B in the previous year’s competition. An additional 26 schools will compete in Division I Segment B and C, while 42 schools will participate in Division II (12 teams) and Division III (30 teams) of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, aiming to secure top positions in their respective groups.
In the previous season of the Dialog Schools Rugby League, the blue-ribbon competition in Sri Lanka schools’ rugby calendar, St. Peter’s College emerged as champions, triumphing in both the Dialog Schools Rugby League and the Dialog Schools Rugby K/O tournament by defeating Isipathana in both finals. St. Peter’s College, Isipathana College, Royal College, Colombo, St. Anthony’s College St. Joseph’s College, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, and Trinity College, Kandy are expected to be strong contenders in this year’s tournament.
“This year’s league features the highest number of teams – 84, which is a significant achievement. The Dialog Schools Rugby League has shown remarkable growth over the years, and we extend our gratitude to our main sponsor Dialog Axiata for their support to SLSRFA, particularly in these challenging economic times” stated Kamal Ariyasinghe, President of the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA). “We look forward to an exciting tournament with all 84 teams vying for victory in their respective divisions.”
“In line with our steadfast commitment to powering the champions of tomorrow, we are pleased to partner with the Schools Rugby League, one of the most highly anticipated events in the school sports calendar,” remarked Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer at Dialog Axiata PLC. “We extend our best wishes to SLSRFA and all the participating schoolboys for the 2024 season.” Dialog Axiata PLC also made financial donations to over 70 schools, to enhance existing infrastructure facilities, and providing rugby kits.
“Engaging in extracurricular activities is crucial for developing children’s personalities and promoting healthy habits. We must commend the Sri Lanka Rugby School Union and its officials for organizing this event, which helps develop a generation of healthy individuals. We must also recognise the continuous support from Dialog Axiata PLC who has been a pillar of strength for the School Rugby Union by sponsoring this event,” said Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha.
“School rugby lays the foundation for national and international levels. Dialog Axiata PLC has been the main sponsor of the school rugby league since 2020, and their efforts in promoting the sport in the country are commendable. We must appreciate Dialog’s commitment to developing rugby in Sri Lanka,” added Sports Minister Harin Fernando.
Dialog Axiata is also a dedicated sponsor of the National Cricket, Volleyball, and Esports teams and the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open. The Company promotes diversity, equity and inclusion through sponsorships in Netball Federation of Sri Lanka and National Paralympic Committee to enable athletes to participate in national and international tournaments. Further, in line with its commitment towards empowering the champions of tomorrow, the company continues to power the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, and School Rugby.
Sri Lanka Athletics has invited India, the Philippines and the Maldives for next month’s Relay Championships conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Athletics Association in a bid to provide the men’s 4×400 metres relay quartet with a chance to reach qualifying standards for the World Relays.
Currently Sri Lanka men’s 4×400 metres relay team is within the required ranking position to compete at the prestigious World Relays taking place in Guangzhou, China. The 3:04.48 seconds finish to win the gold medal of the men’s 4×400 metres at the Asian Relays in May last year has placed Sri Lanka in the 31st position in the ‘Road to Guangzhou’ rankings.
But with many competitions coming up within the next couple of months Sri Lanka Athletics wants to leave no stone unturned in their quest to keep the ranking position within the qualifying range.
The teams in the first 32 positions according to the times produced within the qualifying period (January 1, 2024 to April 13, 2025) become eligible for the World Relays taking place on May 10 and 11 in Guangzhou.
Sri Lanka’s chances of improving the current standings (31st) at this week’s World Indoor Championship in China are minimal as Olympian Aruna Dharshana, who is the fastest of the current crop of athletes will not be available for the event.
Dharshana is currently training and competing in Australia. He is looking forward to reach qualifying standards or reach the required ranking position for World Championships in the 400 metres.
The World Athletics has set a tough standard of 44.85 seconds for the men’s 400 metres. While only 17 are selected through direct qualifying standards, 31 athletes are selected through rankings for the 400 metres. Dharshana is yet yo enter rankings to be eligible for the World Championships.
Sri Lanka Athletics will field Dharshana, Kalinga Kumarage, S.B.R. Madushan and Sadew Rajakaruna for the relay event in April.
by Reemus Fernando
Defence Services Beach Volleyball Championship 2025 was held from March 12 to 14 at the SLAF beach volleyball courts, Katunayake. During the finals SLAF Men’s team defeated SL Army (2-0) while the SL Navy Women’s team defeated SLAF Women’s team (2-0). Incidentally is the seventh Defence Services Beach Volleyball title won by the SLAF Men’s Team.
Base Commander SLAF Base Katunayake AVM Dhammika Dias graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Chairman of SLAF Volleyball, Group Captain Milinda Mendis, Senior Officers from SL Army and Navy were also present for the finals.
The Central Province Badminton Association (CPBA) is now accepting entries for one of Sri Lanka’s most anticipated badminton competitions, the Summer Season All-Island Open Championships 2025, which will be staged at the Municipal Council Indoor Stadium in Nuwara Eliya from April 21 to 27.
The highly followed seven-day annual badminton tournament, held during the Nuwara Eliya April Holiday Season, is known to attract Sri Lanka’s top ranked shuttlers. The National Ranking Level 1 competition, sanctioned by Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB), is one of the key sporting attractions of Nuwara Eliya during April every year, known to generate increasing public interest.
The championship will feature a wide range of events from Under-11 to Under-19 in the Junior category and Over-30 to Over-70 in the Senior category, with an addition of three Combined Age segment of 100+. The main attraction of the competition will be the Open events comprising Men’s and Women’s Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles, with an addition of a Plate Championship for the losers in Men’s and Women’s Singles.
The opening ceremony will take place on April 21st at 9:00am, followed by the preliminary rounds, leading up to the climax on April 26 with the quarter-finals and semi-finals. The excitement will continue on April 27 with the highly anticipated semi-finals and final matches, followed by the Closing Ceremony to mark the culmination of this championship.
The main draw seeding will be determined based on SLB Ranking as of April 13, followed by the draw on April 16 at 11:00am at No.2, Cambridge Terrace, Colombo 7. Entries will close on April 10 at noon. Entries can be submitted online or by contacting Sadeesha Adithya on 0761759017 and further details of the tournament are available in the prospectus published in the SLB website.
A total prize money of Rs.750,000 for all events based on the number of entries will be on offer, in addition to trophies, medals and certificates guaranteed for winners, runners-up and semi-finalists of each event of the tournament. Junior winners will receive appropriate gifts instead of prize money, according to a decision taken by the tournament organisers. The tournament is sponsored by Mobil, Li Ning, McFoil, 3M and GAC.
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