The sport that turns environmental action into competition took center stage in Sri Lanka. On 2nd August 2025, the Sri Lanka Final Qualifier for the SPOGOMI World Cup 2025 was held at the Mt. Lavinia Sports Ground, bringing together 27 outstanding teams, national and international dignitaries, and committed citizens in a spirited contest to clean up public spaces and represent Sri Lanka on the global stage.
What is SPOGOMI?
SPOGOMI (Sport x Garbage x Picking) is a unique Japanese concept that transforms litter collection into a competitive team sport. In this format, groups of three compete to collect, sort, and weigh garbage—especially from roadsides and public areas—within a limited time and location.
With defined rules, scoring systems, and a strong emphasis on teamwork and waste segregation, SPOGOMI turns simple cleanups into a fast-paced, purposeful game. In 2025, Sri Lanka joined this global movement for the first time, with the winning team earning the opportunity to represent the country at the SPOGOMI World Cup in Japan on 27th October 2025, alongside 30 other nations.
The Road to the National Final
The Mt. Lavinia final was the culmination of a structured and inclusive national selection process. From April to July 2025, provincial SPOGOMI qualifiers were held in all nine provinces across Sri Lanka. From each province, three top-performing teams were selected based on their performance—bringing together a total of 27 regional champions for the final competition.
This process ensured broad regional representation and brought the message of environmental stewardship to communities across the country.
A Prestigious Gathering
The final event was graced by the presence of His Excellency ISOMATA Akio, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, who highlighted the importance of international collaboration and civic leadership in addressing plastic pollution. The event also welcomed senior government officials, representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other international organizations and development partners.
Powered by Partnerships
The success of this national initiative was made possible through the generous financial assistance of The Nippon Foundation. Their support enabled widespread participation, coordinated logistics, and made it possible to engage youth, volunteers, and local leaders across Sri Lanka.
The Competition
Held at Mt. Lavinia Sports Ground and surrounding public areas, the final competition tested teams on their ability to clean, sort, and categorize roadside litter within a defined time. Teams were scored based on the amount of garbage collected, the accuracy of waste segregation, and overall teamwork.
Following a tightly contested competition, one exceptional team was crowned as the Sri Lanka National Champion and will represent the nation at the SPOGOMI World Cup 2025 in Japan.
Collective Impact
The event showcased the power of collaboration. The ZeroPlastic Movement Coordinators, volunteers, and Organising Committee worked tirelessly to ensure smooth operations from the provincial rounds to the national final. Local authorities, community partners, and schools played a key role in encouraging youth engagement and public participation.
Looking Ahead: Japan 2025
With the Sri Lanka qualifiers now complete, our attention turns to the global stage. The selected team will proudly carry Sri Lanka’s commitment to environmental leadership, youth empowerment, and community action to the SPOGOMI World Cup in Japan.
This journey is not only about representing a country—it’s about proving that even the smallest action, like picking up a piece of trash, can be part of something much bigger.
Japan—here we come to compete, and to make a difference.
