Over 600 teams contest U-14 football

by susil Premalal

The Sri Lanka Schools Football Association (SSFA) will conduct the Samaposha Under-14 National Football Championship scheduled to be held in the months of November and December with over 600 teams in the fray, both boys and girls.

As many as 12,000 schoolboy and schoolgirl players will be in action and the response to the school football championship over the years has been exceptional from schools island-wide according to the organisers.

There will be players from all 25 districts and matches are to be played in 32 centers with 510 boys’ teams and 110 girls’ teams competing. Of this number, 33 boys’ teams and 25 girls’ teams will qualify for the second round in Galle.
The first round of the tournament begins in November and the second round will be held from December 5 to 7 in Galle. The final rounds will be held on December 13 at the Racecourse Ground, Colombo. Special recognition and awards are to be presented at the end of the tournament to the best player from the boys’ and girls’ categories and the best goalkeeper according to the organisers.

Commenting on the championship, CBL Food Cluster Director/Chief Executive Officer Manjula Dahanayake said: “CBL Samaposha proudly continues the long-standing sponsorship of the Samaposha Under-14 National Football Championship, building youth football, teamwork and discipline. As a home-grown brand, we are committed to investing in youth development and national sporting excellence.”

Expressing his views, the CEO/General Secretary, Sri Lanka Football Federation, Iraj Wimalasuriya said: “We are proud to support the CBL Samaposha Under-14 National Football Championship for the 14th consecutive year. The tournament is a sporting event and a platform to nurture the next generation of football talent in Sri Lanka. Joining hands with CBL Samaposha, we aim to deliver another memorable championship celebrating skills, passion and potential of school players.” 

The President of the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association, U. S. A. Bandara Leelarathna, said: “This year’s competition draws attention to giving students from remote areas a chance to compete with multiple Under-14 teams. We have high expectations and sincerely thank CBL Samaposha for their continued support in making the championship a success.”