Rantharu and Rathanapala champions at Gold Cup volleyball

By Susil Premalal

Debagama Rantharu Sports Club and Mahauswewa Rathanapala Sports Club became the champions at the men’s and women’s segments respectively at the Dialog Presidents’ Gold Cup volleyball tournament finals on Saturday at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Debagama Rantharu pulled off a stunning 3-2 win in the five-set contest over Ruwanwella Rajasinghe Sports Club with the scores reading 25–18, 26–24, 21–25, 21–25, 15–13 in the final. It was Debagama Rantharu’s first Gold Cup triumph since 2021. 
Both finalists hailed from the Sabaragamuwa Province and players representing Ruwanwella Rajasinghe College under the guidance of the same coach Chaminda Jayaratne.
In the women’s final Mahauswewa Rathnapala overcome Mahawa Wijayaba Sports Club with a 3–1 set win where the scores read 25–21, 25–17, 15–25, 25–23. 
Awards for Special Achievements: 
Most outstanding women’s player: Preethika Prabodhini (Mahauswewa)
Best Libero (women): Udeshika Shrimali (Mahauswewa)
Best Setter (women) Kavindi Madhushika (Mahauswewa) 
Best Attacker (women): Yasanga Nethmini (Mahauswewa0
Best Centre Player 1 (women): N.P.M.A Navaratne (Wijayaba)
Best Centre Player 2 (women): Sewwandi Herath (Mahauswewa)
Best Outside Hitter 1 (women): Preethika Prabodhinee (Mahauswewa)
Best Outside Hitter 2 (women): T.M.K.M Tennakoon (Wijayaba)

Most outstanding Men’s Player: S.R.J. Dissanayake (Rantharu)
Best Libero (men): H.P.N Thathsara (Rantharu)
Best Setter (men): L.R.C Liyanage (Rantharu)
Best Attacker (men): .A.U.P Adhikari (Rajasinghe)
Best Centre Player 1 (men): D.M.P.D.B Dissanayake (Rajasinghe)
Best Centre Player 2 (men): H.P.R.R Puwakpitiya (Rantharu)
Best Outside Hitter 1 (men): K.S.M.I Rathnayake (Rajasinghe)
Best Outside Hitter 2 (men): K.M.V.C Wijewickrama (Rantharu)