Sri Lanka eye trophy at Central Asian Nations volleyball

The Sri Lanka volleyball team with officials Shamil Malinda – Trainer, Mahinda Bandara – Vice President, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Kalika Wasanthapriya – Head Coach; Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajeeva Medawatte – President, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation; Ayesh Dilshan – Captain; Thenuka Malinda – Manager; and Milroy Thisera.

Sri Lanka will face Afghanistan today in the second match of the Central Asian Nations Cup men’s volleyball championship in Bangladesh.

The team is powered by Sri Lanka’s Number One connectivity provider, Dialog Axiata PLC and the match is scheduled to commence at 1 pm Sri Lanka time.

The Sri Lankan side is captained by Ayesh Dilshan and their remaining matches will be against Bangladesh, Nepal and the Maldives.

Sri Lanka will play against Bangladesh on October 24 followed by the Maldives on October 26 and Nepal on October 27. 

The Grand Final of the tournament is scheduled to take place on October 28.

The event marks Sri Lanka’s first appearance in a Nations Cup tournament held within the Central Asian region and it is also noteworthy that the entire coaching panel, consisting of head coach Kalika Wasanthapriya, assistant coach and the trainer Shamil Malinda are serving in their respective national team roles for the very first time.

There is optimism that the coaching staff, drawing on the extensive experience they have accumulated as long-serving national players, will steer the talented Sri Lankan side towards a possible place in the final.

Dialog Axiata, a prolific promoter of the National sport of volleyball for more than two decades has expressed confidence that the team will emerge victorious as champions of the Central Asian Nations Cup.