The 12th edition of the Inter-Schools Invitation Football Tournament for the President’s Cup organized by the Group of ’80s of Hameed Al Husseinie College will be kicked off at the Sugathadasa Stadium on March 16. The Oxford Group has come forward to be the Main Sponsor of the tournament for the second consecutive year.
Pre-quarters and quarterfinals will be played at the Sugathadasa Stadium on March 17 and 18, while the semi-finals will be held at Race Course Grounds on March 24 and the grand finale on March 31 at the same venue.
The organizers have invited 21 leading school football teams to take part in this prestigious tournament and up to 18 have confirmed their participation this year’s ‘Oxford President’s Trophy, said Mohammed Mufheed Tournament Committee Chairman during a press briefing on Tuesday at the Football House auditorium.
“The Invitation Schools Tournament commenced with the aim of promoting the game of football from the grass root level which has brought good results up to date. Many players who made their appearance in this tournament was able to reach higher levels to play club level and few of them also were able to enter the national team in the past few years. This shows that we have been successful with our main intention” said, Mufheed.
FFSL President Anura de Silva stated that in the past Schools Football Association and the parent body failed to work closely.
“This resulted in failing to find the talented players from schools from all over the country. The Present management of Football Federation has joined hands with SLSFA to promote the game from the school level”. He added that many projects were introduced to school football in association with the SLSFA.
Secretary-General of Schools Football Association N.S.B. Dissanayake also said that “the FFSL has come forward to uplift the game in schools in a big way. The Federation has introduced new tournament for few age groups to played from district level which will be of great value all sport loving public too. With the introduction of these tournaments many schools have taken to the sport in a serious manner”, said Dissanayake.
The winning team will be awarded the ‘Oxford Trophy’ Medals and Certificates, while most valuable player of each match, best goalkeeper (Golden Glove), highest goal scorer (Golden Boot), most valuable player of the tournament will be awarded valuable prizes. The best player of every match from the preliminary stage will receive a medal as well.
Special awards will be presented for match officials, referees, and players who have represented Sri Lanka School Football team and the National Team for 2018.
Participating teams: Ananda College, De Mazenod College, Hindu College, St. Benedict’s College, Al Azar Central College, Maris Stella College, Hameed Al Husseinie College, Lumbini College, Muslim Central College, St. Peter’s College, D.S. Senanayake College, Gateway International School, Wesley College, S. Thomas’ College, Royal College, Al Mubarak National School, Holy Cross College, Zahira College, Gampola and Nalanda College.
Add new comment