Dialog President's Gold Cup 2026 launches, powering Volleyball talent to shine on the national stage

Mr. Lasantha Theverapperuma, Group Chief Marketing Officer of Dialog Axiata PLC (4th from left), presenting the official sponsorship cheque to Senior DIG Sanjeewa Medawatte, President of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation (3rd from left) in the presence of the other officials (from left to right) Mr. Mahinda Senarath Bandara, Vice President, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Wing Commander H.K. Akhila De Alwis, General Secretary, Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Mr. Harsha Smaranayake, Vice President, Group Marketing, Dialog Axiata PLC.

The Dialog President's Gold Cup Volleyball Championship 2026, Sri Lanka's premier volleyball tournament, will get underway in September, with Dialog Axiata PLC continuing as title sponsor for the 19th consecutive year.

Organised by the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, the annual championship remains the country's only open volleyball tournament that provides village-level teams with an opportunity to compete their way to the national stage.First introduced in 1991 with the inaugural final played at the newly renovated Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, the President's Gold Cup has grown into one of the country's most important domestic volleyball competitions. Dialog Axiata has backed the tournament since 2005, while also serving as the principal sponsor of Sri Lanka's men's and women's national volleyball teams.

This year's competition will be conducted in two stages, beginning with district-level tournaments before moving into the national championship. The district champions, 25 men's teams and 25 women's teams, will qualify for the national stage.District matches are scheduled to begin on weekends from early September, with the national competition expected to commence about two months later.Teams may field players of any age, allowing experienced players and young talent to compete together. Players must have lived within the relevant Divisional Secretariat division for at least three years to be eligible to represent clubs from that area.Entries for the championship close on August 15.

"We are proud to continue our partnership with the Dialog President's Gold Cup Volleyball Championship for two decades. Dialog's vision is to create opportunities for athletes to progress from village-level competition to the international stage. This tournament has consistently produced talented players while helping strengthen Sri Lanka's national sport, I also would like to Thank the Sri Lanka Volleyball federation for their support to conduct the Tournament," said Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Marketing Officer Lasantha Theverapperuma.

Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation President Senior DIG Sajeewa Medawatta said the tournament has played a significant role in developing players capable of representing the national team.

"Many players have progressed from village volleyball through this championship to represent Sri Lanka. Dialog's continued support has helped create that pathway, and we are grateful for its long-standing commitment to the sport," he said.

The tournament will be broadcast on Dialog Television, the Dialog Play app and ThePapare.com, allowing volleyball fans across the country to follow the competition.

Dialog Axiata is the proud sponsor of the National Cricket, Volleyball and Esports teams. Dialog is also the primary sponsor of the Sri Lanka Golf Open and Paralympic sports by powering the National Para Games, and the Sri Lankan contingent to the World Paralympic Games. Further, in line with its commitment towards powering the champions of tomorrow, the company continues to power the President’s Gold Cup Volleyball, National Junior and Senior Netball tourneys, and School Rugby