Sri Lanka defeated Maldives in straight sets (3-0) in the curtain-raiser of the Seventh Asian Youth Boys’ Volleyball Championship match played at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo yesterday.
Sri Lankan players made a gallant display against the Maldivians by beating them convincingly by 25-13, 25-7 and 25-10 in a row. “We played extremely well in this match and we have a must win game with Australia to go in contention for the title,” Sri Lankan captain Damith de Silva said in the press briefing after the match.
Assistant Coach of the Sri Lanka team N.A. Pream Ajith revealed that though Australia have some tall players we are superior to them with our technique and ability. “India is the toughest team comprising six experienced players who have played in the world tournaments and we have to give of our best against them if we are to win” Ajith said.
Cuban national Terry Rafael is the Coach of Sri Lanka who is guiding the team for the first time in this tournament. The tournament will go on till October 22.
The championship commenced with a fascinating and colourful ceremony with several cultural displays at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday with the participation of Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka as the chief guest.
This tournament is conducted by Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation in collaboration with Asian Volleyball Confederation. At this mega event 11 teams are participating Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Thailand and host Sri Lanka.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said though cricket is popular among the elite, volleyball is Sri Lanka’s national sport and it has a huge following in Sri Lanka. He officially declared open the tournament and also urged the players to take up both victory and defeat in the same spirit.
Sri Lankan players made a gallant display against the Maldivians by beating them convincingly by 25-13, 25-7 and 25-10 in a row. “We played extremely well in this match and we have a must win game with Australia to go in contention for the title,” Sri Lankan captain Damith de Silva said in the press briefing after the match.
Assistant Coach of the Sri Lanka team N.A. Pream Ajith revealed that though Australia have some tall players we are superior to them with our technique and ability. “India is the toughest team comprising six experienced players who have played in the world tournaments and we have to give of our best against them if we are to win” Ajith said.
Cuban national Terry Rafael is the Coach of Sri Lanka who is guiding the team for the first time in this tournament. The tournament will go on till October 22.
The championship commenced with a fascinating and colourful ceremony with several cultural displays at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday with the participation of Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka as the chief guest.
This tournament is conducted by Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation in collaboration with Asian Volleyball Confederation. At this mega event 11 teams are participating Australia, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Thailand and host Sri Lanka.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka said though cricket is popular among the elite, volleyball is Sri Lanka’s national sport and it has a huge following in Sri Lanka. He officially declared open the tournament and also urged the players to take up both victory and defeat in the same spirit.
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