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New AFC Stadium in collaboration with FIFA

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New AFC Stadium in collaboration with FIFA to build on Asian football’s strong momentum The future of Asian football is set to usher in greater success and progress as the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa and FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed the collaborative project of a new AFC Stadium in a ground-breaking ceremony held in Putrajaya, Malaysia on Monday.

Situated approximately 30km from the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the AFC Stadium in Putrajaya, which is the federal administrative capital of Malaysia, will be constructed on a land site spanning 15.43 acres, fully equipped with a grandstand, spectators’ boulevard and atrium, administrative offices, and underground carpark.

The new state-of-the-art football-specific stadium will be financed through funding from the FIFA Forward programme and will further strengthen the AFC’s ambitions, through its Vision and Mission, to support its Member Associations (MAs) and Regional Associations (RAs) with greater efficiency. The Football Association of Malaysia and the Malaysian Government will provide logistical support to the project.

Underlining the significant step forward for the AFC and its MAs and RAs, the AFC President said: “The AFC’s Vision and Mission has underlined our ambitions to ensure we maximise the potential of our MAs and RAs.

“The AFC House has been the focal point of football development through numerous courses, workshops and seminars in the areas of Technical and Refereeing and now with this new AFC Stadium, we have the potential to do so much more,” added Shaikh Salman.

“On behalf of the Asian football family, I must convey our gratitude to FIFA for their willingness to chart a new era of progress with the AFC as well as the Malaysian Government for their dedication towards the development of Asian football, not only through this project but for its steadfast support over the decades.

“I am confident that the new AFC Stadium will pave the way for our MAs and RAs to scale even greater heights in the next decade.”

Echoing the AFC President’s sentiments, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was in the Malaysian capital to attend the 11th AFC Executive Committee meeting, said: “I think it is an important investment for Asian football, and I want to congratulate and commend the AFC President and the Executive Committee members.”

“It is a great project, and I am really proud and happy that we are teaming up through this AFC and FIFA stadium which can mark a new step in the whole very important part of the Asian region.”

The stadium floor area is approximately 580,000 sqft with a seating capacity of 10,000 and will feature the highest quality FIFA-graded football pitch.

Amongst others, some of the key features also include a cafeteria, a leading-edge media tribune and a media commentators’ room as well as a vibrant water feature to be constructed at the entrance of the stadium.

FIFA සමඟ එක්ව නව AFC ක්‍රීඩාංගනය

FIFA සමඟ එක්ව නව AFC ක්‍රීඩාංගණය ආසියානු පාපන්දු ක්‍රීඩාවේ ප්‍රබල ජවයක් ගොඩනැංවීම සඳහා ආසියානු පාපන්දු ක්‍රීඩාවේ අනාගතය වඩාත් සාර්ථක සහ ප්‍රගතියක් කරා ගෙන යනු ඇතැයි ආසියානු පාපන්දු සම්මේලනයේ (AFC) සභාපති ෂෙයික් සල්මාන් බින් එබ්‍රහිම් අල් කලීෆා සහ FIFA සභාපති ගියානි ඉන්ෆැන්ටිනෝ තහවුරු කළහ. සඳුදා මැලේසියාවේ පුත්‍රජයා හි පැවති මුල්ගල තැබීමේ උත්සවයකදී නව AFC ක්‍රීඩාංගනයේ සහයෝගීතා ව්‍යාපෘතිය.

මැලේසියාවේ ක්වාලාලම්පූර් හි AFC හවුස් සිට ආසන්න වශයෙන් 30km පමණ දුරින් පිහිටා ඇති, මැලේසියාවේ ෆෙඩරල් පරිපාලන අගනුවර වන පුත්‍රජයා හි AFC ක්‍රීඩාංගනය අක්කර 15.43 ක භූමි භාගයක ඉදිකරනු ලබන අතර, අංගසම්පූර්ණ ප්‍රේක්ෂකාගාරයක්, ප්‍රේක්ෂකාගාරයක් සහ ඇට්‍රියම් වලින් සමන්විත වේ. , පරිපාලන කාර්යාල, සහ භූගත රථගාල.

නව නවීන පාපන්දු-විශේෂිත ක්‍රීඩාංගනය FIFA Forward වැඩසටහනෙන් අරමුදල් සපයනු ලබන අතර AFC හි දැක්ම සහ මෙහෙවර හරහා එහි සාමාජික සංගම් (MAs) සහ කලාපීය සංගම් (RAs) සඳහා සහාය වීම සඳහා AFC හි අභිලාෂයන් තවදුරටත් ශක්තිමත් කරනු ඇත. ) වැඩි කාර්යක්ෂමතාවයකින්. මැලේසියාවේ පාපන්දු සංගමය සහ මැලේසියානු රජය මෙම ව්‍යාපෘතිය සඳහා සැපයුම් සහාය ලබා දෙනු ඇත.

AFC සහ එහි MAs සහ RAs සඳහා සැලකිය යුතු ඉදිරි පියවරක් අවධාරණය කරමින් AFC සභාපතිවරයා මෙසේ පැවසීය: “AFC හි දැක්ම සහ මෙහෙවර අපගේ MAs සහ RAs හි හැකියාවන් උපරිම කිරීම සහතික කිරීම සඳහා අපගේ අභිලාෂයන් අවධාරණය කර ඇත.

AFC හවුස් පාපන්දු සංවර්ධනයේ කේන්ද්‍රස්ථානය වී ඇත්තේ තාක්‍ෂණික සහ විනිසුරුවන් යන ක්ෂේත්‍ර ගණනාවක පාඨමාලා, වැඩමුළු සහ සම්මන්ත්‍රණ හරහා වන අතර දැන් මෙම නව AFC ක්‍රීඩාංගනය සමඟින් අපට තවත් බොහෝ දේ කිරීමට හැකියාව ඇත,” ෂෙයික් සල්මාන් වැඩිදුරටත් පැවසීය.

“මෙම ව්‍යාපෘතිය හරහා පමණක් නොව, ආසියානු පාපන්දු ක්‍රීඩාවේ දියුණුව සඳහා ඔවුන් දක්වන කැපවීම වෙනුවෙන් AFC මෙන්ම මැලේසියානු රජය සමඟ ප්‍රගතියේ නව යුගයක් සටහන් කිරීමට ඔවුන් දක්වන කැමැත්ත පිළිබඳව ආසියානු පාපන්දු පවුල වෙනුවෙන් මම FIFA වෙත අපගේ කෘතඥතාව පළ කළ යුතුයි. නමුත් දශක ගණනාවක් පුරා එහි ස්ථිර සහයෝගය සඳහා.

“නව AFC ක්‍රීඩාංගනය ඉදිරි දශකය තුළ අපගේ MAs සහ RAs සඳහා තවත් විශාල උසකට යාමට මග පාදනු ඇතැයි මට විශ්වාසයි.”

AFC සභාපතිවරයාගේ හැඟීම් ප්‍රතිරාවය කරමින්, 11 වන AFC විධායක කමිටු රැස්වීමට සහභාගී වීමට මැලේසියානු අගනුවරට පැමිණ සිටි FIFA සභාපති Gianni Infantino මෙසේ පැවසීය: “එය ආසියානු පාපන්දු ක්‍රීඩාවට වැදගත් ආයෝජනයක් යැයි මම සිතමි, මට AFC සභාපතිට සුබ පතන්න සහ ප්‍රශංසා කිරීමට අවශ්‍යයි. සහ විධායක කමිටු සාමාජිකයන්.”

“එය විශිෂ්ට ව්‍යාපෘතියක් වන අතර, ආසියානු කලාපයේ සමස්ත ඉතා වැදගත් කොටසෙහි නව පියවරක් සනිටුහන් කළ හැකි මෙම AFC සහ FIFA ක්‍රීඩාංගනය හරහා අප අත්වැල් බැඳ ගැනීම ගැන මම ඇත්තෙන්ම ආඩම්බර වෙනවා සහ සතුටු වෙනවා.”

ක්‍රීඩාංගනයේ බිම් ප්‍රමාණය වර්ග අඩි 580,000 ක් පමණ වන අතර ආසන 10,000 ක ආසන ධාරිතාවක් ඇති අතර ඉහළම තත්ත්වයේ FIFA ශ්‍රේණිගත පාපන්දු පිටියකින් සමන්විත වේ.

අනෙක් ඒවා අතර, සමහර ප්‍රධාන අංගයන් අතර ආපනශාලාවක්, ප්‍රමුඛ පෙළේ මාධ්‍ය විනිශ්චය සභාවක් සහ මාධ්‍ය විචාරකයින්ගේ කාමරයක් මෙන්ම ක්‍රීඩාංගනයේ දොරටුවේ ඉදිකරන ලද විචිත්‍රවත් ජල අංගයක් ද ඇතුළත් වේ.

FIFA உடன் இணைந்து புதிய AFC ஸ்டேடியம்

ஆசிய கால்பந்தின் வலுவான வேகத்தை கட்டியெழுப்ப ஃபிஃபாவுடன் இணைந்து புதிய AFC ஸ்டேடியம் ஆசிய கால்பந்தின் எதிர்காலம் அதிக வெற்றியையும் முன்னேற்றத்தையும் கொண்டு வர உள்ளது என ஆசிய கால்பந்து கூட்டமைப்பு (AFC) தலைவர் ஷேக் சல்மான் பின் இப்ராஹிம் அல் கலீஃபா மற்றும் FIFA தலைவர் கியானி இன்பான்டினோ உறுதிப்படுத்தினர். மலேசியாவின் புத்ராஜெயாவில் திங்கள்கிழமை நடைபெற்ற அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழாவில் புதிய AFC ஸ்டேடியத்தின் கூட்டுத் திட்டம்.

மலேசியாவின் கோலாலம்பூரில் உள்ள AFC ஹவுஸிலிருந்து சுமார் 30km தொலைவில் அமைந்துள்ள, மலேசியாவின் கூட்டாட்சி நிர்வாகத் தலைநகரான புத்ராஜெயாவில் உள்ள AFC ஸ்டேடியம், 15.43 ஏக்கர் நிலப்பரப்பில், பிரமாண்டமான, பார்வையாளர்களுக்கான பவுல்வர்டு மற்றும் ஏட்ரியத்துடன் முழுமையாகக் கட்டமைக்கப்படும். , நிர்வாக அலுவலகங்கள் மற்றும் நிலத்தடி கார் பார்க்கிங்.

புதிய அதிநவீன கால்பந்து-குறிப்பிட்ட ஸ்டேடியம் FIFA ஃபார்வர்ட் திட்டத்தின் நிதியுதவி மூலம் நிதியளிக்கப்படும் மற்றும் அதன் உறுப்பினர் சங்கங்கள் (MAs) மற்றும் பிராந்திய சங்கங்கள் (RAs) ஆகியவற்றை ஆதரிக்க அதன் பார்வை மற்றும் பணி மூலம் AFCயின் லட்சியங்களை மேலும் வலுப்படுத்தும். ) அதிக செயல்திறனுடன். மலேசிய கால்பந்து சங்கம் மற்றும் மலேசிய அரசு இந்த திட்டத்திற்கு தளவாட ஆதரவை வழங்கும்.

AFC மற்றும் அதன் MA க்கள் மற்றும் RA களுக்கான குறிப்பிடத்தக்க முன்னேற்றத்தை அடிக்கோடிட்டுக் காட்டி, AFC தலைவர் கூறினார்: “AFC இன் பார்வை மற்றும் பணி எங்கள் MAக்கள் மற்றும் RA களின் திறனை அதிகரிப்பதை உறுதி செய்வதற்கான எங்கள் லட்சியங்களை அடிக்கோடிட்டுக் காட்டுகிறது.

“தொழில்நுட்பம் மற்றும் நடுவர் துறைகளில் ஏராளமான படிப்புகள், பட்டறைகள் மற்றும் கருத்தரங்குகள் மூலம் AFC ஹவுஸ் கால்பந்து மேம்பாட்டின் மையப் புள்ளியாக இருந்து வருகிறது, இப்போது இந்த புதிய AFC ஸ்டேடியத்துடன், நாங்கள் இன்னும் பலவற்றைச் செய்ய முடியும்” என்று ஷேக் சல்மான் கூறினார்.

ஆசிய கால்பந்து குடும்பத்தின் சார்பாக, இந்த திட்டத்தின் மூலம் மட்டுமல்லாமல், ஆசிய கால்பந்தின் வளர்ச்சிக்கான அர்ப்பணிப்பிற்காக AFC மற்றும் மலேசிய அரசாங்கத்துடன் முன்னேற்றத்தின் புதிய சகாப்தத்தை பட்டியலிட FIFA விருப்பம் தெரிவித்ததற்காக நான் எங்கள் நன்றியைத் தெரிவிக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால் பல தசாப்தங்களாக அதன் உறுதியான ஆதரவிற்காக.

“புதிய AFC ஸ்டேடியம் அடுத்த தசாப்தத்தில் எங்கள் எம்ஏக்கள் மற்றும் ஆர்ஏக்கள் இன்னும் பெரிய உயரங்களை எட்டுவதற்கு வழி வகுக்கும் என்று நான் நம்புகிறேன்.”

AFC தலைவரின் உணர்வுகளை எதிரொலிக்கும் வகையில், 11வது AFC செயற்குழு கூட்டத்தில் கலந்து கொள்வதற்காக மலேசிய தலைநகருக்கு வந்திருந்த FIFA தலைவர் Gianni Infantino கூறினார்: “இது ஆசிய கால்பந்திற்கு ஒரு முக்கியமான முதலீடாக நான் நினைக்கிறேன், மேலும் AFC தலைவரை வாழ்த்திப் பாராட்ட விரும்புகிறேன். மற்றும் செயற்குழு உறுப்பினர்கள்.”

“இது ஒரு சிறந்த திட்டமாகும், மேலும் இந்த AFC மற்றும் FIFA ஸ்டேடியத்தின் மூலம் நாங்கள் ஒன்றிணைவதில் நான் மிகவும் பெருமையும் மகிழ்ச்சியும் அடைகிறேன், இது ஆசிய பிராந்தியத்தின் முழு மிக முக்கியமான பகுதியிலும் ஒரு புதிய படியைக் குறிக்கும்.”

ஸ்டேடியத்தின் தளம் தோராயமாக 580,000 சதுர அடி மற்றும் 10,000 இருக்கை திறன் கொண்டது மற்றும் மிக உயர்ந்த தரமான FIFA தரப்படுத்தப்பட்ட கால்பந்து ஆடுகளத்தைக் கொண்டிருக்கும்.

மற்றவற்றுடன், சில முக்கிய அம்சங்களில் சிற்றுண்டிச்சாலை, ஒரு முன்னணி ஊடக ட்ரிப்யூன் மற்றும் ஊடக வர்ணனையாளர்களின் அறை மற்றும் ஸ்டேடியத்தின் நுழைவாயிலில் கட்டப்படும் துடிப்பான நீர் வசதி ஆகியவை அடங்கும்.

Cricket

Sri Lanka Announce Dasun Shanaka-Led Squad for Pakistan T20 Series

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Sri Lanka have announced a strong and well-balanced squad led by Dasun Shanaka for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Pakistan, which is set to begin tomorrow in Dambulla.

The selection reflects a blend of experience and emerging talent, as the selectors look to combine stability with attacking intent in the shortest format. Shanaka will continue to lead the side, with his leadership, calm decision-making, and power-hitting expected to play a central role in Sri Lanka’s campaign.

The batting unit features depth and versatility. Pathum Nissanka and Kamil Mishara provide options at the top of the order, while Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera bring proven international experience and match-winning ability to the middle order. Dhananjaya de Silva and Charith Asalanka add further flexibility, offering the ability to adapt their roles according to match situations.

Sri Lanka’s all-round strength remains a key asset, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, and Shanaka himself providing balance to the side. Hasaranga, in particular, is expected to play a decisive role with both bat and ball, especially during the middle overs.

The bowling attack offers a strong mix of spin and pace. Maheesh Theekshana’s variations will be vital on home surfaces, supported by Dushan Hemantha and Wellalage. The pace department is bolstered by the presence of Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Malinga, and Traveen Mathew, giving Sri Lanka a range of options in terms of speed, movement, and death-over execution.

Janith Liyanage provides additional batting cover, while the overall squad depth allows the team flexibility to rotate players and manage workloads across the series.

With home advantage on their side, Sri Lanka will be aiming to make a strong start and build momentum against a competitive Pakistan side as preparations continue for future international assignments.

Sri Lanka T20 Squad vs Pakistan

Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushan Hemantha, Traveen Mathew, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Eshan Maling

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Sanath Jayasuriya to Step Down as Sri Lanka Head Coach After T20 World Cup 2026

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Sri Lanka head coach Sanath Jayasuriya has confirmed that he will step down from his role following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, bringing clarity to ongoing speculation surrounding his future with the national team.

Although Jayasuriya’s current contract with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) extends beyond the World Cup, multiple media reports indicate that he has already taken a personal decision not to continue in the role after the tournament.

Coaching Journey and Key Milestones

Jayasuriya’s tenure as national head coach began in July 2024, when he was appointed interim head coach ahead of a demanding home series against India. That appointment proved pivotal, as Sri Lanka went on to record a historic ODI series victory over India, their first in several decades. The result prompted Sri Lanka Cricket to confirm Jayasuriya as full-time head coach later that year.

Prior to taking over the national side, Jayasuriya had been involved with Sri Lanka Cricket as a consultant at the National High Performance Centre since December 2023, contributing to player development and long-term planning.

Record and Performance Overview

Under Jayasuriya’s leadership, Sri Lanka have played 60 international matches across all three formats, registering 29 wins and 29 losses, with two no results. The numbers reflect a transitional phase for the team, marked by rebuilding, experimentation, and gradual progress rather than consistent dominance.

While the team has shown improvement in Tests and ODIs, Jayasuriya has acknowledged that T20 cricket remains an area requiring further refinement, particularly in maintaining batting momentum and executing disciplined bowling during decisive phases of matches.

Focus on World Cup Preparation

Looking ahead, Jayasuriya has highlighted upcoming home series against Pakistan and England as crucial preparation opportunities ahead of the T20 World Cup. He believes these contests will allow Sri Lanka to finalise player combinations, sharpen tactical decision-making, and test performances under pressure in familiar conditions.

Jayasuriya’s connection with Sri Lanka’s World Cup success is deeply rooted. He was Player of the Tournament during Sri Lanka’s iconic 1996 ODI World Cup victory and later served as Chairman of Selectors when the national team lifted the 2014 T20 World Cup. Now, he is aiming to contribute to a potential third World Cup triumph, this time from the coach’s chair.

SLC Response and Future Outlook

Sri Lanka Cricket Chairman Shammi Silva has publicly expressed satisfaction with Jayasuriya’s work, praising his hands-on coaching approach and close engagement with players. Speaking at a recent media briefing, Silva stated that formal discussions regarding Jayasuriya’s future will take place after the T20 World Cup, leaving open the possibility of an extension should circumstances permit.

In a separate development, Silva also confirmed that Sri Lanka Cricket plans to appoint a foreign head coach for the national women’s team, marking a shift from the current setup under local coach Rumesh Ratnayake. The move forms part of a broader strategy to further professionalise and strengthen the women’s cricket programme.

As Sri Lanka build toward the 2026 T20 World Cup on home soil, Jayasuriya’s remaining tenure is expected to focus on consolidation, clarity, and competitive readiness — with his legacy to be assessed once the global tournament concludes.

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Harmanpreet Leads from the Front as India Women Seal 5–0 Clean Sweep Over Sri Lanka

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India Women capped off a dominant tour with another composed performance, defeating Sri Lanka Women by 15 runs in the fifth and final T20I to complete a 5–0 clean sweep of the series. The result underlined India’s superiority throughout the tour, as they consistently controlled key phases of play and delivered under pressure.

Batting first, India Women posted an imposing 175 for 7 from their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who led from the front with a commanding 68 off 43 balls. After early setbacks that saw Shafali Verma, Gunalan Kamalini and Harleen Deol depart inside the powerplay, India required stability — and Harmanpreet provided exactly that.

The skipper rotated the strike efficiently before accelerating with authority, striking nine boundaries and a six to maintain momentum. Support came in patches, with Amanjot Kaur contributing a useful 21, but it was the late surge that lifted India to a formidable total. Arundhati Reddy produced a stunning cameo, remaining unbeaten on 27 from just 11 deliveries, her clean striking in the death overs decisively shifting momentum in India’s favour.

Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Kavisha Dilhari and Chamari Athapaththu were the standouts, claiming two wickets apiece, but the attack struggled to contain India in the closing stages.

Chasing 176, Sri Lanka Women responded with intent and determination. Hasini Perera starred at the top of the order with a fluent 65 off 42 balls, while Imesha Dulani compiled a composed 50, keeping the chase alive with a crucial partnership that threatened to tilt the contest.

India, however, showcased their experience and composure. Timely breakthroughs in the middle overs stalled Sri Lanka’s momentum, with Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Vaishnavi Sharma and Shree Charani all making important contributions with the ball. Sharp fielding — highlighted by a crucial run-out — further tightened India’s grip on the match.

Despite a late push from Rashmika Sewwandi, Sri Lanka finished on 160 for 7, falling 15 runs short of the target.

The victory sealed a comprehensive 5–0 series whitewash for India Women, reflecting their consistency, squad depth, and tactical clarity throughout the series. Harmanpreet Kaur’s leadership and match-winning performance in the final game perfectly encapsulated India’s dominance as they closed the tour on a resounding high.

Brief Scores

India Women 175/7 in 20 overs

Harmanpreet Kaur 68 (43), Arundhati Reddy 27* (11)

Kavisha Dilhari 2/11, Chamari Athapaththu 2/21

Sri Lanka Women 160/7 in 20 overs

Hasini Perera 65 (42), Imesha Dulani 50 (39)

Deepti Sharma 1/28, Sneh Rana 1/3

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