Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Saturday Nov 29, 2025
Tuesday, 4 November 2025 03:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Debagama Rantharu Sports Club and Mahauswewa Rathanapala Sports Club were crowned Men’s and Women’s champions respectively at the Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Championship 2025, a tournament that stands as a proud symbol of the two-decade-long partnership between Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, and the nation’s beloved sport of volleyball.
The grand finals took place on 1 November, at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo, in front of a vibrant crowd that celebrated both athletic excellence and Dialog’s enduring contribution to the national game.
In a pulsating Men’s final, Debagama Rantharu Sports Club clinched the title after edging past Ruwanwella Rajasinghe Sports Club in a thrilling five-set contest (25–18, 26–24, 21–25, 21–25, 15–13). This victory marks Debagama Rantharu’s first Gold Cup triumph since 2021. In a remarkable coincidence, both finalists hailed from the Sabaragamuwa Province, featured players representing Ruwanwella Rajasinghe College, and were guided by the same coach, Chaminda Jayaratne, underscoring the region’s strong volleyball pedigree.
The Women’s final saw Mahauswewa Rathanapala Sports Club overcome Mahawa Wijayaba Sports Club with a 3–1 set win (25–21, 25–17, 15–25, 25–23). The spirited performance of the youthful Wijayaba team, largely comprising school-aged players, was a highlight of the evening and drew much praise for their spirit and composure under pressure.
The Men’s final was graced by Sports Deputy Minister Sugath Thilakaratne, while the Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, served as Chief Guest for the Women’s final. Dialog Axiata PLC’s Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Thevarapperuma together with other distinguished guests, joined the proceedings, reaffirming Dialog’s unwavering commitment to nurturing local sporting talent.
Dialog Axiata PLC’s association with volleyball, Sri Lanka’s national sport remains a cornerstone of its broader commitment to sport. Beyond volleyball, Dialog is the sponsor of the national Cricket, Volleyball, and Esports teams, and a key supporter of the Sri Lanka Open Golf Championship. Further, through partnerships with the Sri Lanka Netball Federation and the National Paralympic Committee, Dialog continues to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in sport, enabling athletes across the nation to compete on the world stage.
In line with its vision to empower the champions of tomorrow, Dialog also supports National Junior and Senior Netball tournaments and School Rugby, furthering its mission to inspire excellence and opportunity through sport.
Awardees for special achievements
