By Hishan Welmilla
Singapore retained their Asian Netball Championship crown in commanding fashion, defeating hosts Hong Kong 57–33 in the final at the Kai Tak Arena to secure back-to-back continental titles.
The victory also confirmed Singapore and Hong Kong as Asia’s representatives at the 2027 Netball World Cup in Sydney, after the top two finishers earned qualification from the tournament.
For Sri Lanka, however, the 14th Asian Netball Championship ended with a mixture of relief and disappointment. The six-time champions had arrived in Hong Kong with hopes of reclaiming the title they lost to Singapore in 2024, but ultimately had to settle for the bronze medal after defeating Malaysia 65–60 in the third-place playoff.
The third-place finish was enough to preserve Sri Lanka’s long-standing presence among Asia’s leading netball nations, but it also represented a significant step backwards. Most importantly, Sri Lanka failed to reach the final for the first time in 21 years and, with only the finalists qualifying for the 2027 World Cup, missed out on a place at the global tournament.
A promising start that never fully developed
Sri Lanka’s campaign began with a 57–57 draw against hosts Hong Kong, an encouraging result against a team that would eventually reach the final. The Sri Lankans then faced defending champions Singapore and went down 62–51. Although the defeat was competitive, it was an early warning of the challenge that awaited them later in the tournament.
The team responded positively against Malaysia, recording a 66–52 victory to register its first win. Sri Lanka then produced its most dominant performance of the preliminary stage, destroying India 100–34. That victory gave the team two wins, one draw and one defeat and appeared to place them in a strong position heading into the semi-finals.
There were genuine reasons for optimism. Sri Lanka had demonstrated that it could compete with the leading teams and had the attacking ability to overwhelm weaker opposition. Yet beneath those results were problems that would become much more obvious when the pressure increased.
The Singapore problem
The decisive moment came in the semi-final against Singapore.
Sri Lanka had already lost to Singapore in the preliminary round, but the semi-final demanded a completely different level of performance. Instead, Singapore produced a dominant display and won 82–54. The defending champions controlled the contest throughout, leading 20–11 after the first quarter, 39–25 at half-time, 63–40 after three quarters and eventually closing the match by a 28-goal margin.
The result exposed the gap between the two sides more clearly than their earlier group match. Singapore’s speed, consistency and control across the court proved too much for Sri Lanka, whose title hopes disappeared in one emphatic afternoon.
It was also more than just a semi-final defeat. Because Singapore progressed to the final, Sri Lanka’s loss simultaneously ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Netball World Cup.
What really went wrong for Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka’s problems were not limited to what happened on court.
The team entered the championship after a period of controversy surrounding selection and preparation. There were public reports of disagreements involving the national selection committee and head coach Somitha de Alwis, including controversy over the inclusion of an injured player. The coach rejected allegations that she had improperly influenced selections and said her concerns had been about team requirements and player fitness.
The injury issue continued to attract attention once the team reached Hong Kong. Reports also indicated that Sri Lanka were effectively operating with only 11 available players, while the coach identified a shortage of options in the centre-court positions as one of the reasons behind the team’s struggles against Singapore.
Preparation was another concern. De Alwis herself acknowledged before the tournament that the preparation period was limited, although the team did gain valuable international exposure through a series against New Zealand’s Lincoln University.
These factors do not explain every defeat, but together they paint a picture of a team that entered one of the most important Asian championships without the ideal preparation, depth and stability required to challenge Singapore over an entire tournament.
Bronze provides some consolation
Despite the disappointment, Sri Lanka showed character in the third-place playoff.
Facing Malaysia, the team found a way to recover from the heavy semi-final defeat and finished the tournament with a 65–60 victory. The win secured third place and ensured Sri Lanka remained on the Asian podium.
The bronze medal should not be dismissed. Sri Lanka remain one of the most successful teams in Asian netball history, having won the continental championship six times. They were runners-up in 2024 and had remained among Asia’s top three for much of the tournament’s history.
But for a nation accustomed to challenging for the Asian crown, third place will inevitably feel like an underachievement.
Singapore, meanwhile, demonstrated exactly what Sri Lanka must rediscover. After suffering a preliminary-round defeat to Malaysia, the defending champions regrouped, defeated Sri Lanka 82–54 in the semi-final and then produced an authoritative 57–33 victory over Hong Kong in the final.
For Sri Lanka, the bronze medal closes one chapter but raises serious questions for the future. The team still possesses talent, experience and the tradition to compete at the highest level in Asia. What is now required is stability in administration, transparent selection, better injury management, deeper player development and sufficient international preparation.
The 65–60 victory over Malaysia may have ended the campaign on a positive note, but the real challenge begins now. Sri Lanka must turn the disappointment of missing the 2027 World Cup into a lesson rather than allowing it to become another setback in the decline of one of Asia’s historic netball powers.
What must be done to bring back the glory?
The first requirement is stability.
Sri Lanka cannot afford repeated administrative disputes, selection controversies or uncertainty surrounding the national team. The national coach and selection committee must work within a clear, professional structure, with selection decisions based on transparent performance and fitness criteria.
Second, Sri Lanka needs year-round national preparation.
The national squad should not come together only a few months before an Asian Championship or World Cup. A larger pool of players should be maintained throughout the year, with regular camps, fitness testing, tactical training and performance reviews.
Third, international exposure must become a priority.
Sri Lanka needs regular matches against stronger opposition. Playing only domestic competition does not provide the speed, physical pressure and tactical demands required at international level. The coach had already identified overseas exposure as important before this championship. That approach should become part of a long-term programme rather than an occasional arrangement.
Fourth, Sri Lanka must build greater squad depth.
The team cannot depend heavily on a small group of experienced players. Every position needs at least two or three international-quality options. Particular attention should be given to developing centre-court players, shooters and defensive combinations so that injuries do not drastically weaken the team.
Fifth, the country needs to invest seriously in junior development.
The next generation must be identified before they reach senior level. Schools, clubs and provincial competitions should be connected to a national pathway, allowing talented young players to progress systematically into the national squad.
Finally, Sri Lanka needs a long-term high-performance programme.
The target should not simply be the next Asian Championship. A four-year plan should be established covering player development, coaching, sports science, strength and conditioning, nutrition, injury prevention, international tours and major tournament preparation.
The road back starts now
Sri Lanka’s bronze medal should therefore be viewed as a starting point rather than an achievement that ends the discussion.
The talent is still there. The history is there. The passion for netball remains strong.
What is missing is consistency in the system.
Singapore’s latest championship has demonstrated what sustained preparation and a clear high-performance structure can produce. Sri Lanka must now learn from that example rather than simply admire it.
The 2026 Asian Netball Championship may have ended with Singapore celebrating another crown and Sri Lanka collecting bronze, but the real story for Sri Lankan netball begins after Hong Kong.
If the administrators, coaches and players can put aside internal divisions, establish a transparent selection system, invest in young players, provide regular international exposure and build a deeper national squad, Sri Lanka can once again become the team everyone fears in Asian netball.
The Lionesses have already proved that they can reach the summit.
Now, the challenge is to build a system that can take them there again — and keep them there.
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