Milo Trophy National Schools Netball Championship 2022 begins
View(s):
The final round of the 29th Sri Lanka Schools Netball Championship began last week at the Dadalla ground in Galle. Organised by Sri Lanka Schools Netball Association (SLSNA) under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, this much-awaited fixture in the school netball arena is sponsored by Nestlé Milo in its journey of developing grassroot sports in Sri Lanka.
As a brand that nourishes children to go further, Nestlé Milo has consistently supported the championship since its inception 29 years ago. This highly anticipated event, being conducted after a lapse of more than two years with the last championship taking place in 2019, is expected to draw the participation of almost 4000 school players.
Whilst the centre-based tournaments were being held, the championship constitutes of two divisions – ‘A’ and ‘B’ with four varying age groups as of October 31. Events will be held under four age groups – Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19.
In the Division ‘A’ six teams will qualify from Under-13 while four each will advance to the final from the remaining age categories. In Division ‘B’ two each teams will advance to the final stage in the Under-15, 17 and 19 age categories, while the Under-13 age category will be amalgamated with the top division as non-competitive games.
The Sri Lanka Schools Netball Championship is conducted with the patronage of Nestlé Lanka’s MILO under the purview of the Ministry of Education. The tournament was initiated by former Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Education, Sunil Jayaweera and former Director of Education (Sports and Physical Education), Olivia Malini Gamage.
The championship was then patronised by the respective sports and physical education directors as well as the respective chairpersons, secretaries, and other team members during their tenures.
The opening ceremony of this year’s event was held with H.U. Premathilake, the Additional Secretary (Education Quality Development), Ministry of Education as chief guest. Daya Bandara, the Director of Education (Sports and Physical Education) of Ministry of Education, V. Upali Amarathunge, the Deputy Director of Education (Physical Education and Sports) of Ministry of Education, Dilruk Jayawardena, the Assistant Director of Education in charge of School Sports (Physical Education and Sports) of Ministry of Education, Nimal Dissanayake, the Director of Education of the Southern Province Department of Education, R.M. Krishan Duminda, the Deputy Director of Education (Physical Education and Sports) of the Southern Province Department of Education and officials of Nestlé Lanka joined in as special guests.
The closing ceremony was graced by H.J. Ranasinghe, the Secretary of the Ministry of Education as chief guest. Daya Bandara, Director of Education (Sports and Physical Education) of Ministry of Education, V. Upali Amarathunge, the Deputy Director of Education (Physical Education and Sports) of Ministry of Education, Dilruk Jayawardena, the Assistant Director of Education in charge of School Sports (Physical Education and Sports) of Ministry of Education, Nimal Dissanayake, the Director of Education of the Southern Province Department of Education, R. M. Krishan Duminda, the Deputy Director of Education (Physical Education and Sports) of Southern Province Department of Education, Lakshmi Victoria, the Chairperson of Sri Lankan Netball Association and officials of Nestlé Lanka graced the occasion as special guests.