The men’s national volleyball team is out of the South Asian Games 2019, after losing to Sri Lanka on Friday.

The Maldivian team lost the match in three straight sets; 25-18, 25-23 and 25-17.

The Maldivian men team lost its final match in the games being held in Nepal, against Pakistan on Thursday, also in three straight sets; 25-16, 25-23 and 25-15.

The volleyball competitions at the South Asian Games 2019 began on November 27 and will continue until December 3. In the men’s event, Bangladesh, Nepal and India are in Pool A, while Maldives is in Pool B with Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

This is the men’s team's first international tournament since the appointment of celebrated Serbian coach, Milorad Kijac, in October.

While the some of the events have begun, the formal opening ceremony of the 13 South Asian Games is to be held on Sunday. Over 2,700 athletes are competing for 1,119 medals, including 319 gold, in 26 game categories, in the 13th South Asian Games.

The Maldivian women’s national team will play against India the semi-finals as Pool B was reduced to two teams after Pakistan’s decision to pull out of the tournament. The team lost its first match against Sri Lanka in three straight sets; 25-15, 25-18 and 25-14.

Maldives will play against India and host Nepal will play against Sri Lanka, in the semifinals on Saturday.

The women’s team were the runner-ups in the AVC Senior Women’s Central Zone Volleyball Championship, held earlier this month; its biggest achievement to date.