The landscape of Sri Lankan volleyball is undergoing a significant shift. With the recent arrival of Greek tactician Petroglu Petros to lead the national team (indoor) and Turkish specialist Onur Ergenç taking the reins of the beach volleyball squads, the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation (SLVF) is signalling a bold new era. 

For the first time in history, both wings of the national sport are under the guidance of world-class foreign expertise simultaneously.

In an extensive conversation with Wing Commander Akhila De Alwis, General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, we explore the strategic roadmap designed to pull Sri Lankan volleyball out of its recent international slump and the complexities of managing a national sport on a volunteer basis.

Following are excerpts of the interview:

Sri Lanka has the services of foreign coaches for both the indoor and beach volleyball sectors. Is this the first time such an opportunity has been granted? Also, have there been foreign coaches for beach volleyball in Sri Lanka before?

This is a watershed moment for us. It is the very first time the Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation has both a domestic (indoor) and beach volleyball division. Both are being coached by two different foreign experts simultaneously. While we have a rich history with the sport, our international coaching appointments have historically been sporadic or focused on only one discipline.

Eight years ago, we did secure a foreign coach specifically for the beach volleyball contingent. However, the synergy we are seeing now—having Petroglu Petros and Onur Ergenç working parallel to one another—is unprecedented. This dual-track approach allows for a total immersion in modern European and Mediterranean coaching philosophies, which we believe will bridge the technical gap that has widened between Sri Lanka and the top-tier Asian nations over the last decade.

Let’s talk about the mechanics of this special opportunity. How did the Federation manage to secure such high-profile talent, and what are the financial implications for a sport that often struggles with funding?

This didn't happen by accident. It was the result of high-level diplomacy within the global volleyball community. During my visit to the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), I engaged in extensive discussions with the Head of the Empowerment Department. We presented a comprehensive case for Sri Lanka, emphasising our status as a Nation where volleyball is the national sport but lacks the high-performance resources to match its popularity.

The FIVB agreed to provide us with these coaches under their ‘Volleyball Empowerment’ programme. They are scheduled to work with us for a minimum of one year. The financial structure of this agreement is incredibly favourable for us. The FIVB undertakes the payment of the entirety of the salaries and international airfares. For context, these coaches receive a monthly salary of 3,000 Swiss francs (approximately Rs. 1,180,000).

However, it is a collaborative effort. The Ministry of Sports has stepped up to handle the local logistics, contributing significantly to their accommodation and daily food expenses. The Federation takes responsibility for their health and welfare. It is a three-way partnership between the international governing body, the state, and the national federation.

Is there a structured programme to ensure the knowledge and experience of these foreign coaches don't leave with them? How are local coaches being integrated?

We are very conscious of the fact these experts are here for a limited time. If we don’t facilitate a "knowledge transfer," we have failed. We have designed a robust "Train the Trainer" initiative. We aren't just keeping these coaches in Colombo; we plan to travel with them to the outstations—North, East, South, and the Hill Country—to hold localised training camps.

In fact, we have already been quite active. We recently concluded a five-day intensive programme for beach volleyball coaches with the Spanish Olympic medalist, Coach Bosma. We also completed a Level 2 programme for indoor coaches. In May, we are bringing in a Serbian expert to conduct a Level 1 training programme. Just last month, we hosted a massive one-day workshop for 90 local coaches. Our goal is to create a new generation of Sri Lankan coaches who think with the tactical complexity of the European game but understand the unique grit of the Sri Lankan athlete.

With four national squads operating simultaneously, how do you manage the financial burden, especially given the minimal international funding compared to other top famous sports?

It is a massive undertaking. We are currently finalising the selections for four primary squads: the Men’s and Women’s senior national teams (24 players each) and the Under-18 squads. Funding is always the "elephant in the room." However, the Ministry of Sports has been a pillar of support, particularly in providing nutritional allowances. For a volleyballer, nutrition is often the difference between winning a five-set thriller and collapsing in the fourth.

We also rely heavily on our corporate partners. Our three main sponsors—Dialog, Munchi, and DSI—are more than just logos on a jersey. They provide the liquidity needed to run these camps. Without them, the national sport would be at a standstill. We are essentially running a professional-grade operation on a semi-professional budget.

We have seen a decline in our rankings within the Central Asian Volleyball Confederation (CAVC). What is the immediate plan for recovery?

The decline was a wake-up call. We have immediately implemented residential training. For example, our beach volleyball team recently finished a seven-day residential camp in Trincomalee. The conditions there mimic the international venues we will face in the Asian Championships.

Our "North Star" right now is the South Asian Games (SAG) next year. Every tournament we enter this year is a stepping stone towards that gold medal. We have a packed schedule: the men’s team is heading to Pakistan and the women to Nepal for the Central Asian Championships. Our junior teams will be in Uzbekistan this May. We are also looking at the Asian Beach Games and specialised tournaments in Thailand.

Furthermore, we are focusing on joint training. We have invited the Uzbekistan beach volleyball team to Sri Lanka for a collaborative workshop. This allows our players to spar with international opponents without the massive cost of traveling abroad. To assist with the grassroots level, the FIVB has also promised a donation of 100 high-quality volleyballs this year to help us maintain our domestic tournament standards.

One of the biggest hurdles has been the departure of elite players like Mahela Indeewara, Tharusha Chamath, and Chamindu Hirushan to foreign leagues. How is the Federation handling players who seem to prioritise club contracts over national duty?

This is a complex issue. We have to be realistic; playing professionally abroad provides these athletes with a livelihood that the local game currently cannot match. However, representing your country is a sacred duty. We personally reached out to Mahela, Tharusha, and Chamindu.

We made a very reasonable proposition: we only ask for one month of their time out of the year for national duty. To show our good faith, the Executive Committee even waived the requirement for them to attend preliminary trials; we invited them straight to the final selections. I am happy to report that Tharusha Chamath and Chamindu Hirushan have committed to joining the national squad from 11 May. Unfortunately, Mahela Indeewara is currently nursing an injury and won’t be able to participate. We are trying to build a culture where the Federation and professional players work in harmony, rather than in conflict.

The Volleyball Federation has been a federation that has been administered in a united and harmonious manner since the past. 

However there have been rumours of internal friction within the Federation. Given that many of your officers, including Chairman Sanjeewa Medawatte (Senior DIG), are high-ranking officials in the police and tri-forces, is there a struggle to balance duty with administration?

Rumours are just that—rumours. The reality is the 25-member executive committee is more united than ever. Yes, many of us come from the armed forces and the police. This brings a level of discipline and procedural rigor to the Federation that is often lacking in sports bodies.

As for our Chairman, Senior DIG Sanjeewa Medawatte, his leadership has been exemplary. You have to understand that every single one of us is a volunteer. We do this for the sheer love of the game after our official duties are over. We are constantly connected via social media, holding nightly discussions to ensure no detail is overlooked.

Whether it is coordinating with the Ministry at midnight or attending a tournament at dawn, someone from our committee is always there. We operate with military precision because we have to. There is no room for division when you are trying to rebuild a national sport from the ground up. We are focused on one thing: seeing the Lion flag raised at the centre of the volleyball court once again.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the interviewee, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication