Sri Lanka has been withdrawn from the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup in Gibraltar after failing to obtain visas on time, causing the team to miss all of its group stage matches.
The World Netball Association announced that both Sri Lanka and Zambia have been pulled from the tournament due to participation issues. As a result, their scheduled matches have been recorded as losses, and their opponents have been awarded two points each, in line with competition rules.
Sri Lanka was scheduled to play England, Jamaica, and Tonga in Pool C. Consequently, the organisers confirmed that these teams would be awarded wins. Similarly, the teams scheduled to face Zambia in Pool A have also received points for their matches.
Media reports indicate that the Sri Lankan team could not travel to Gibraltar in time for the opening matches due to visa delays. As Gibraltar is a British territory, players were required to obtain visas through the British High Commission.
The World Netball Federation expressed regret over the disappointment caused to both teams and fans by these incidents.
The World Youth Netball Cup, featuring teams from around the world under the age of 21, is being held in Gibraltar from September 19–28.
