Sports

Sri Lanka Sports Fiesta kicks off today

Published

2 years ago

2024/08/16

The Sri Lanka Sports Fiesta 2024, a landmark event which according to organisers would reshape the nation’s sporting landscape, is set to kick off today, in Colombo. Organized by the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism, this three-day extravaganza promises an unforgettable experience for athletes and spectators alike. It will conclude on August 18.

The fiesta is more than just a sports event; it celebrates athleticism, teamwork, and national pride. Over 3,000 athletes will compete across seven major team sports—cricket, rugby, football, volleyball, netball, hockey, and basketball—showcasing the country’s top talent. This unique event provides a platform for athletes to display their skills, compete at the highest level, and inspire the next generation of sports enthusiasts.

Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball 2024

The finals of the Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Tournament will take place as part of the Sri Lanka Sports Fiesta 2024 at the Air Force indoor stadium in Colombo 7. On August 16th, the top four finalists—both men’s and women’s teams—will vie for top honors. In addition to the main awards for the winners and runners-up, accolades will be presented to the best player, attacker, blocker, setter, server, and passer. The matches will commence at 1 p.m.

Sports Fiesta T10 Cricket Tournament 2024

The T10 Cricket Tournament will feature five teams at Thurstan College and Bloomfield grounds. Sri Lanka’s national white-ball captain Charith Asalanka will lead Colombo, while Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage, Niroshan Dickwella, and Janith Liyanage will captain Dambulla, Galle, Kandy, and Jaffna, respectively. Matches will be held on August 16th and 17th at Thurstan College, and on August 17th and 18th at Bloomfield, with the finals scheduled for 2:40 p.m. on August 18th.

Air Force Commander’s Cup Rugby Tourney

The Air Force Commander’s Cup Rugby Tournament 2024 will feature men’s, women’s, and U-16 boys’ and girls’ teams, played across all three days at Race Course International Stadium. The men’s tournament will see 12 clubs, divided into Divisions A and B, competing for the Cup, Shield, and Bowl trophies. Four teams will participate in the women’s tournament, and 14 schools will compete in the U-16 category. League matches are scheduled for August 16 and 17, with the finals on August 18.

Sports Fiesta President Gold Cup Hockey

The President Gold Cup Hockey Tournament 2024 will take place at the Astro Turf in Colombo 7, with 17 teams in the senior men’s category and 16 teams in the women’s senior category. An under-20 tournament for boys and girls, featuring 16 teams, will also be held. Matches, played on a knockout basis, will begin at 8:30 a.m., with the finals scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on August 18.

Sports Fiesta 3×3 Basketball

The 3×3 Basketball Championships 2024 will be held at the Sri Lanka Basketball Association’s 3×3 Court in Colombo 7, featuring 24 men’s and 10 women’s teams. The finals will take place on August 18th.

Sports Fiesta Mini Football Tournament

The Mini Football Tournament 2024 will be held at the Race Course ground in Colombo, with 12 senior and six junior teams competing. Each team will consist of five players, with matches played under lights. The finals will kick off at 5:30 p.m. on August 18th.

Sports Fiesta Youth Netball Championships

Twenty teams will compete in the Youth Netball Championships 2024 at Torrington ground, with matches played on a league basis. The finals are scheduled for 3 p.m. on August 18th.

The organizers have meticulously planned every detail to ensure the event’s grand success. From carefully crafted match schedules to world-class facilities, every aspect is designed to foster competition and camaraderie. Spectators can look forward to thrilling matches, with each sport offering its own unique excitement and drama. With free admission to all events, the fiesta is expected to draw large crowds eager to witness history in the making.

The venues will be alive with activity, offering a wide range of entertainment options for visitors of all ages. Adding to the festive atmosphere, nightly music concerts will showcase some of Sri Lanka’s most popular artists, providing the perfect opportunity for attendees to unwind after a day of exhilarating sports.

As the principal sponsor, Dialog Axiata has ensured that the excitement of the Sri Lanka Sports Fiesta 2024 reaches every corner of the country. The tournament will be broadcast live on Dialog Television via ThePapare TV (channel 63), ThePapare TV HD (channel 126), Dialog ViU, and ThePapare.com, allowing viewers across Sri Lanka to be part of the action. Dialog Television and ThePapare serve as the Official Broadcasting and Digital Media Partners, ensuring comprehensive coverage of this historic event.

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Agha calls for ‘sportsman spirit’ after controversial dismissal

Published

17 mins ago

2026/03/14

Priyan

Salman Agha reacted furiously after his controversial dismissal [BBC]

Salman Ali Agha said that he would have done things ‘differently”, after Mehidy Hasan Miraz ran him out in controversial circumstances in the second ODI in Dhaka.

Agha, who made 64 from 62 balls, had been backing up at the non-striker’s end when Mohammad Rizwan drove the ball back towards him. He was still out of his ground as Mehidy swooped round behind him in an attempt to gather, and Agha had appeared ready to pass the ball back to the bowler before Mehidy reached down to grab it first and throw down the stumps.

Agha reacted furiously to the dismissal, throwing his gloves and helmet down in disgust at the decision. However, he later came to the post-match press conference, ahead of captain Shaheen Shah Afridi and player of the match Maaz Sadaqat, to clear the air.

“I think sportsman spirit has to be there,” Agha said. “What he [Mehidy] has done is in the law. I think if he thinks it’s right, it’s right, but if you ask me my perspective, I would have done differently. I would have gone for sportsman spirit. We haven’t done this [type of thing] previously, we would never do that in the future as well.”

Agha explained that he had been trying to pick up the ball to give to Miraz, thinking it was likely to have been called dead. “Actually, the ball hit on my pad and then my bat,” he said. “So I thought he can’t get me run-out now, because the ball already hit on my pad and my bat.

“I was just trying to give him the ball back. I was not looking for the run or anything like that, but he already decided [to make the run-out].”

Agha however regretted his angry reaction. “It was just heat-of-the-moment kind of stuff,” he said. “If you ask me what would I have done, I would have done things differently. But it was everything, whatever happened after that, it was in the moment.”

He was also involved in a robust exchange with Bangladesh wicketkeeper Litton Das, though he didn’t divulge many of the details.

“I can’t remember what I was saying and I can’t remember what he was saying,” he said. “I’m sure I wasn’t saying nice things, and I’m sure he wasn’t saying nice stuff as well. But it was just heat of the moment, so we are fine.

Asked if he had patched things up with Mehidy, Agha said: “I haven’t yet, but don’t worry, I’ll find him.”

Pakistan won the match by 128 runs via the DLS method.

[Cricinfo]

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Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Grands Prix to be cancelled

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/14

Priyan

The grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were scheduled for next month (BBC)

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix that were scheduled for next month are set to be cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East.

A formal decision to call off the races has not yet been made but is expected before the end of the weekend.

Freight would need to start being shipped to the Middle East in the coming days. With no sign of the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran coming to a conclusion, holding the races would put personnel at too great a risk.

Neither event will be replaced, with the season being cut to 22 grands prix and F1 taking a commercial hit of more than £100m, given Bahrain and Saudi Arabia pay two of the highest hosting fees.

The race in Bahrain was scheduled to be on 12 April with Jeddah the following weekend.

Consideration was given to holding events at Portimao in Portugal, Imola in Italy or Istanbul Park in Turkey.

But it was accepted that the time to organise a race at any of those locations was too short, and there was little chance of securing a hosting fee.

The decision will mean there is a five-week break between the Japanese Grand Prix on 29 March and Miami on 3 May.

(BBC)

Sports

Rehan, Ramiru guide Royal on day two

Published

10 hours ago

2026/03/14

Thilina Walpola

Royal College made steady progress in reply to their arch rivals’ first innings total as skipper Rehan Peiris and Ramiru Perera guided them to 175 for four wickets at stumps on day two of the 147th Battle of the Blues at the SSC ground on Friday.

‎Royal needed only 51 overs to reach their end-of-day total after S. Thomas’ College had earlier adopted a cautious approach before being bowled out for 302 runs.

‎Royal suffered an early setback when open batsman Hirun Liyanarachchi was dismissed for naught in the very first over, caught behind by Aaron Kodituwakku off the bowling of Gimhan Mendis.

‎Skipper Rehan Peiris then steadied the innings, repairing the early damage with two useful partnerships. He first added 41 runs for the second wicket with Udantha Gangewatta and followed it up with a 34-run stand for the third wicket alongside Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper Vimath Dinsara.

‎Dinsara struggled to find fluency during his stay at the crease, managing 11 runs off 30 balls before being trapped leg-before by Gimhan Mendis, who finished the day with two wickets.

‎Rehan continued to anchor the innings and produced the most productive stand of the Royal innings when he combined with Ramiru Perera for a vital 78-run partnership for the fourth wicket. The Royal skipper’s determined knock finally ended on 63 when he was dismissed by Ludeesha Matarage.

‎From there, Ramiru Perera and Yasindu Dissanayake ensured there were no further setbacks, batting cautiously until bad light forced the umpires to call off play.

‎Perera remained unbeaten on 70, an attractive innings that included ten boundaries, while Dissanayake provided solid support at the other end as Royal closed the day strongly.

‎Earlier in the day, resuming from their overnight score, the Thomians continued with their ultra-cautious approach, scoring at just over two runs per over. Reshon Solomon top-scored with 66 runs, while Ludeesha Matarage and Raphael Hettige chipped in with useful contributions in the twenties.

‎S. Thomas’ were eventually bowled out for 302 just before the lunch interval on the second day, having consumed 124 overs during their four-session first innings.

‎Gagan Gamage was the pick of the Royal bowlers with impressive figures of four wickets for 49 runs. He received good support from Sehandu Sooriyaarachchi, who claimed three wickets for 64 runs, while Himaru Deshan picked up two wickets for 43. Ramiru Perera also chipped in with a wicket to complete the Thomian innings.