"VAN" (Sports Desk - 18.08.2026) :: 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. Cr - AIPS
On Tue, Aug 18, 2026