Dialog power President’s Gold Cup 2025
Marking two decades of steadfast support for Sri Lanka’s national sport, Dialog Axiata PLC will proudly commence the 2025 edition of the Dialog President’s Gold Cup Volleyball Tournament on August 16, beginning with the Western Province competitions.
Driven by a strong vision to empower youth through sport, the tournament provides a platform for Under-25 volleyball players from across the island to showcase their talent – from village level to the national stage. This year’s competition is expected to draw participation from approximately 4,000 teams.
Lasantha Theverapperuma (2nd from right) (Group Chief Marketing Officer, Dialog Axiata PLC) with Harsha Samaranayake (Vice President, Group Marketing, Dialog Axiata PLC) handing over the cheque to the President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Senior DIG SC Medawatta
The 2025 edition will be conducted in two phases — Provincial and National. Matches will begin at district level, with champions and runners-up progressing to the provincial finals. The top teams from each province will then qualify for the national round.
Dialog Axiata has been the proud sponsor of the President’s Gold Cup for 18 consecutive years, first stepping in to support the vision of the late President Ranasinghe Premadasa, who initiated the championship in 1991 to elevate village level talent to the national arena.
“It is a humble honour for us to empower the youth of this country through the Dialog President’s Gold Cup. This tournament offers young players a pathway from grassroots to national prominence. As the No.1 promoter of sport in Sri Lanka, we will continue to uphold this responsibility. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation for granting us this opportunity,” Lasantha Thewarapperuma, the Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC, stated.
“To strengthen our national sport, we must bring rural youth to the forefront. Dialog’s continuous partnership for over two decades is commendable. Numerous national and international players have emerged through this tournament. Dialog has also consistently supported our junior and senior national teams,” Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sajeeva Medawatta, the President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, added.
Applications for the tournament will close on July 31. Any registered sports club within a Divisional Secretariat area is eligible to participate. Players must, however, have resided in the respective division for at least two years.