Bangkok, Thailand, March 21, 2022 – Sri Lanka made a clean sweep in the Asian Qualifier Beach Volleyball Tournament for Commonwealth Games 2022 with Deepika Bandara, who handed her country the unprecedented title at the last month’s Central Asian Volleyball Association (CAVA) Beach Volleyball Championship for the 75th Independence Cup, steering the host side to a scintillating 2-0 win in the women’s showdown against Singapore.
Featuring Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia to vie for the top honours and the lone ticket (country) in each men’s and women’s event to test their mettle in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, an international multi-sport event for members of the Commonwealth due to be held in Birmingham, England, the double-gender competition came to a close on Saturday at Beach Park Negombo, the competition site for the above-mentioned CAVA tournament.
The Asian Qualifier Beach Volleyball Tournament for Commonwealth Games 2022 was held between March 18 and 19, with Sri Lanka reigning supreme in the men’s event with a remarkable unbeaten record. They cruised past Maldives 2-0 (21-18, 21-15) and later trounced Malaysia 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) on the opening day (March 18), while Singapore first brushed off Malaysia 2-0 (21-19, 21-11) but had mixed fortunes following their 0-2 (12-21, 8-21) loss to Maldives.
On the second day (March 19), Malaysia narrowly beat Maldives 2-0 (21-19, 21-18), with Sri Lanka crushing Singapore 2-0 (21-10, 21-16). In the final showdown, unbeaten Sri Lanka’s Malintha Yapa/Ashen Malintha continued their exceptional form to outclass Maldives, the team they had already beaten earlier, 2-0 (21-13, 21-13) for the eventual title.
Meanwhile, three countries, Singapore, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, took part in the women’s event. On the first day, Singapore struggled to beat Malaysia 2-1 (22-20, 16-21, 15-10), while Sri Lanka faced the similar fate as their game against Malaysia was stretched to exhausting three sets ahead their 2-1 (21-15, 20-22, 15-10) win against their tough opponents.
On the second day, Sri Lanka produced a stunning comeback 2-1 (14-21, 21-18, 15-12) win against Singapore. However, with Malaysia suffering two straight losses, hosts Sri Lanka and Singapore advanced to the final showdown, where the former, fielding experienced Deepika Bandara and Chathurika Madushani, still fared better to beat the latter in a hard-fought two-setter 21-18, 22-20 for the women’s crown.
As a result, the Sri Lankan men’s and women’s teams have qualified for the Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022 beach volleyball competition, which is due to be held from July 30 to August 7. A total of 12 teams (countries) apiece in men’s and women’s events will compete in the 2022 edition including host nation England and five countries from the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Rankings as of March 31, 2022.
Negombo MC Mayor Hon. Dayal Lansa, Mr Mangala Perera, Executive Director CW Makie PLC and Hon Kanchana Jayaratne, President of Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, jointly presided over the awards presentation and closing ceremony on Saturday. Also in attendance were SLVF Vice President Mr Kumara Wendakoon, SLVF Secretary General Mr A.S Nalaka and other high-ranked officials.
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