150 teams to contest oldest netball championship

ICL Brands (Pvt) Ltd Eva sponsorship handover. L/R: Krishantha Gunarathna (Sales Director, ICL Brands Pvt Ltd), Nadeesha Fernando (Category Manager, Feminine Hygiene, ICL Brands Pvt Ltd), Roni Chacko (CEO, ICL Brands Pvt Ltd), Caryll Tozer (President, WPNA), Kumudini Gomes (Secretary, WPNA), Nimalika Thushanthi (Tournament Secretary, WPNA)

By Susil Premalal

As many as 150 teams are expected to contest the Western Province Netball Association’s (WPNA) Eva all-island Open Netball Tournament on January 31 and February 1, 2026 at the Air Force ground, Slave Island, Colombo 2. 

The tournament is the country’s premier and oldest netball competition, held consistently at a national level for over 30 years.

According to WPNA President Caryll Tozer and Secretary Kumudini Gomes, a large number of internationally experienced players, along with upcoming youth talent, are expected to participate in the A Division Open Women’s and Under-19 Girls’ segments.

In addition, the tournament will also serve as a talent search for the Sydney Netball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualification (Asian region), identifying a squad of 20 players.

The competition is open to clubs, mercantile teams, government institutions, banks, universities and schools affiliated with their respective associations. It will be held under four divisions for women, men, veterans and school teams.

Each team could register 12 players and players cannot represent more than one team or division. School teams can enter free of charge.

Entries close on January 23 at 5:00 pm and applications should be sent to Kumudini Gomes, Secretary WPNA, No. 16A, Gomes Path at Colombo 5 while additional information could be obtained by calling 077-7392650.

The tournament draw will take place on January 28 at the auditorium of the National Institute of Sports Science, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7.