Schools girls’ basketball finals left in limbo amid repeated postponements

Sri Lanka’s all-island schools girls’ basketball competitions have come under scrutiny as the Under-15 Girls’ A Division final for 2024 and the Under-17 Girls’ A Division final for 2025 remain unplayed, leaving young athletes waiting for closure for more than a year in some instances.

Principals and parents allege that players from St. Bridget’s Convent, Colombo and Holy Family Convent, Bambalapitiya, who qualified for both finals in the two age categories, have suffered serious injustice due to repeated postponements by the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association (SLSBA).

The Under-15 Girls’ A Division tournament progressed to the semi-final stage in December 2024, with St. Bridget’s Convent and Holy Family Convent securing places in the final. An official fixture scheduled the final for December 12, 2024, but it was postponed on the same day after an issue was referred to the Ministry of Education. 

Subsequent attempts to reschedule the match in June 2025 were also unsuccessful due to protests, clashes with zonal and provincial tournaments, and a scheduling conflict with an international event. As a result, the Under-15 A Division final remains pending.

A similar situation has unfolded in the Under-17 Girls’ A Division tournament in 2025. The final between the same two schools was scheduled for November 20, 2025, at the Sugathadasa Stadium during the official closing ceremony. While the awards ceremony went ahead as planned, the Tier 1 final was not played. 

The postponement was reportedly linked to protests arising from an appeal seeking a replay of a semi-final match. To date, no clear official explanation has been issued, and the final has yet to be played.

These repeated delays have raised serious concerns among parents, school authorities, and officials, particularly as the same group of players has been affected in both age categories across consecutive years. Those concerned state that the prolonged uncertainty has caused emotional distress, disrupted academic schedules, and denied athletes the recognition they earned after months of intensive training.

Questions have also been raised regarding governance within the SLSBA, including inconsistencies in officiating standards and an apparent lack of decisive leadership. With both finals still outstanding, stakeholders have formally requested that the Under-15 (2024) and Under-17 (2025) Girls’ A Division finals be completed before the end of 2025 to ensure fairness and safeguard the future of girls’ basketball in Sri Lanka.

As uncertainty continues, the situation has sparked a broader debate on accountability, athlete welfare, and the credibility of school-level basketball administration in the country.

Meanwhile, Daily Mirror made several attempts yesterday (14) to contact SLSBA Secretary Mrs. Jayantha Bandara (071 608 8***) and Tournament Secretary V.G.M.D. de Silva (077 297 3***) to seek clarification regarding the postponement of the two finals, but those efforts were unsuccessful.