Ministry orders volleyball chiefs to stay silent

By Susil Premalal

The Director General of the Department of Sports Development, S. Achchudan, has instructed the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation (SLVB) to suspend the official announcement of the Manchee National Novices boys’ final result.

The final, organised by the SLVB, was between Ruwanwella Rajasinghe Sports Club and Chilaw Fahim James Sports Club at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo. 

Rajasinghe Sports Club won the match with a 3–2 victory.

The order was issued after considering a complaint submitted to the Minister of Sports by Pothupitiya Lucky Six Sports Club, which had participated in the tournament. 

According to the directive, while there is no objection to having conducted and completed the Novice boys’ final, the federation has been instructed in writing to refrain from officially announcing the result and from awarding trophies and prizes until further notice.

The controversy stems from the Novices boys semi-final stage. Pothupitiya Lucky Six defeated Fahim James in the semi-final. However, following a protest lodged by the opposing team and after an inquiry, Lucky Six was stripped of its place in the final, and that opportunity was instead granted to Fahim James.

Subsequently, Lucky Six sought an interim injunction from the Court of Appeal to prevent the final from being held, and the matter was taken up for consideration.

Commenting on the decision to suspend the final result, SLVB Senior Vice President Mahinda Bandara stated: 

“As a national association, we have acted in accordance with the provisions of the Sports Act. However, the club concerned went to court without first lodging a complaint with the Ministry of Sports. Nevertheless, the Ministry has called all parties for an inquiry, and after the investigation, we hope to officially announce the result of the match.”