The 2025 President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Tournament, a leading event in Sri Lanka’s sporting calendar and a proven cradle for rural volleyball aptitude, began this weekend in Colombo.
This year’s edition carries special significance, marking two decades of unwavering sustenance from Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider.
Meanwhile 2005, Dialog’s incessant sponsorship has breathed new life into the tournament, securing its place as a vital pathway for grassroots athletes to reach the national stage.
First staged in 1991, the President’s Gold Cup was initiated to give district-level players the chance to compete nationally; representing their home sports clubs rather than institutional or corporate teams.
The opening final at the refurbished Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, (renovated for the fifth SAF Games) was attended by then President Ranasinghe Premadasa, who envisioned the competition lasting at least a quarter of a century.
Though the early years were promising, the tournament’s momentum faded until 2005, when the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation partnered with Dialog to revitalise the event.
In the meantime then, it has been held uninterrupted, producing a steady stream of talent for the National Men’s and Women’s Teams.
In fact, every current national player has honed their skills on its courts, making it a proven gateway from rural playgrounds to international arenas.
In a move to further nurture developing talent, the 2025 tournament will be contested as an Under 25 championship. The national selectors will track performances closely, identifying prospects for both senior and junior national squads.
This weekend’s inaugural fixtures will feature Western Province district matches at the Torrington Stadium before the tournament travels through the provinces.
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