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Asia Cup will be shifted to UAE with Sri Lankan hosting Rights!!!

The Asian Cricket Council has confirmed that the Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates with Sri Lanka, the original hosts, retaining hosting rights.
The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has seen the Asia Cup move out of the country although Sri Lanka will continue to retain the hosting rights. The tournament will now be held in UAE between August 27 and September 11.
“Every effort was made to host the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the decision to shift the venue to the UAE was taken after much deliberation,” Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President Jay Shah said in a press release on Wednesday. “The UAE will be the new venue while Sri Lanka will continue to retain hosting rights.”
“This edition of the Asia Cup is extremely important as it will help Asian nations prepare for the ICC World Cup, and I thank the SLC and the Emirates Cricket Board for their understanding and cooperation.”.
The ACC also expressed its solidarity with Sri Lanka Cricket in the release.
“The ACC is mindful of the passionate Sri Lankan fans, hence the final decision to change the venue has been very difficult, but has been one that was deemed necessary. However, the thoughts of all ACC members remain in solidarity with the cricket-loving nation of Sri Lanka.”
This year’s Asia Cup is set to be hosted in the UAE, from 27th August 2022 to 11th September 2022.
— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) July 27, 2022
Click link to read more: https://t.co/0PRCkolGeq#ACC #AsiaCup2022 #UAE pic.twitter.com/4gcvsoj6xa
The Asia Cup, which was last played in 2018, will be played in the T20 format, with nine teams participating. UAE, Kuwait, Singapore and Hong Kong will play a qualifying round with the winner joining India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh in the main tournament.
While Sri Lanka is hosting Pakistan currently and also successfully completed a series at home against Australia recently, the nine-team tournament poses a huge challenge in the current scenario. UAE has been a favoured backup country for hosting major tournaments, with India hosting the 2021 T20 World Cup in the country.
ආසියානු කුසලානය ශ්රී ලංකාවේ සත්කාරක අයිතිය සමඟ UAE වෙත මාරු කෙරේ!!!
ආසියානු කුසලානය එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්යයේදී පැවැත්වීමට නියමිත බව ආසියානු ක්රිකට් කවුන්සිලය තහවුරු කර ඇත්තේ මුල් සත්කාරක ශ්රී ලංකාව සත්කාරක අයිතිය රඳවාගෙනය.
ශ්රී ලංකාවේ ආර්ථික අර්බුදය හේතුවෙන් ආසියානු කුසලානය රටින් පිටව ගොස් ඇති නමුත් සත්කාරක අයිතිය ශ්රී ලංකාව දිගටම රඳවා ගනු ඇත. තරඟාවලිය දැන් අගෝස්තු 27 සිට සැප්තැම්බර් 11 දක්වා එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්යයේ පැවැත්වීමට නියමිතය.
ආසියානු ක්රිකට් කවුන්සිලයේ (ACC) සභාපති ජේ ෂා බදාදා මාධ්ය නිවේදනයක් නිකුත් කරමින් කියා සිටියේ “ආසියානු කුසලානය ශ්රී ලංකාවේ පැවැත්වීමට සෑම උත්සාහයක්ම ගත් අතර එම ස්ථානය එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්යයට ගෙනයාමට තීරණය කරන ලදී. “එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්යය නව ස්ථානය වනු ඇති අතර ශ්රී ලංකාව සත්කාරක අයිතිවාසිකම් දිගටම රඳවා ගනු ඇත.”
“මෙම ආසියානු කුසලානයේ සංස්කරණය අතිශයින්ම වැදගත් වන්නේ එය ICC ලෝක කුසලානය සඳහා ආසියානු ජාතීන්ට සූදානම් වීමට උපකාර වන අතර, ඔවුන්ගේ අවබෝධය සහ සහයෝගීතාවය සඳහා මම SLC සහ එමිරේට්ස් ක්රිකට් මණ්ඩලයට ස්තූතිවන්ත වෙමි.”
ඒසීසීය ද ශ්රී ලංකා ක්රිකට් ආයතනයට සිය සහයෝගිතාව ප්රකාශ කර ඇත.
“ACC උද්යෝගිමත් ශ්රී ලාංකේය ක්රීඩා ලෝලීන් ගැන සැලකිලිමත් වන අතර, එම නිසා ස්ථානය වෙනස් කිරීමේ අවසාන තීරණය ඉතා අපහසු වී ඇත, නමුත් එය අවශ්ය යැයි සලකනු ලැබ ඇත. කෙසේ වෙතත්, සියලුම ACC සාමාජිකයින්ගේ සිතුවිලි ක්රිකට් ලෝලීන් සමඟ පවතී ශ්රී ලංකා ජාතිය සහයෝගයෙන්.”
අවසන් වරට 2018 වසරේ පැවැති ආසියානු කුසලානය විස්සයි20 ක්රමයට පැවැත්වෙන අතර ඊට කණ්ඩායම් 9ක් සහභාගී වේ. එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්යය, කුවේට්, සිංගප්පූරුව සහ හොංකොං සුදුසුකම් ලැබීමේ වටයකට ක්රීඩා කරන අතර ජයග්රාහකයා ඉන්දියාව, පාකිස්තානය, ශ්රී ලංකාව, ඇෆ්ගනිස්ථානය සහ බංග්ලාදේශය සමඟ ප්රධාන තරගාවලියට එක්වේ.
ශ්රී ලංකාව මේ වන විට පාකිස්තානයට සත්කාරකත්වය සපයන අතර පසුගියදා ඔස්ට්රේලියාවට එරෙහිව සිය මව්බිමේදී තරගාවලියක් සාර්ථකව නිම කරන අතර, කණ්ඩායම් 9කින් සමන්විත මෙම තරගාවලිය වත්මන් තත්ත්වය තුළ දැවැන්ත අභියෝගයක් එල්ල කරයි. එක්සත් අරාබි එමීර් රාජ්යය ප්රධාන තරඟාවලි පැවැත්වීම සඳහා අනුග්රහය දක්වන උපස්ථ රටක් වී ඇති අතර, ඉන්දියාව 2021 T20 ලෝක කුසලානය රට තුළ සත්කාරකත්වය දරයි.
ஆசிய கோப்பையை இலங்கை நடத்தும் உரிமையுடன் UAEக்கு மாற்றப்படும்!!!
ஆசியக் கோப்பை ஐக்கிய அரபு எமிரேட்ஸில் நடைபெறும் என்று ஆசிய கிரிக்கட் கவுன்சில் உறுதி செய்துள்ளது.
இலங்கையில் ஏற்பட்டுள்ள பொருளாதார நெருக்கடியால் ஆசியக் கிண்ணம் நாட்டை விட்டு வெளியேறிய போதிலும், இலங்கை தொடர்ந்து நடத்தும் உரிமையை தக்க வைத்துக் கொள்ளும். இப்போட்டி ஐக்கிய அரபு எமிரேட்ஸில் ஆகஸ்ட் 27 முதல் செப்டம்பர் 11 வரை நடைபெறும்.
ஆசியக் கோப்பையை இலங்கையில் நடத்துவதற்கான அனைத்து முயற்சிகளும் மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு, அந்த இடத்தை ஐக்கிய அரபு எமிரேட்ஸுக்கு மாற்ற முடிவு எடுக்கப்பட்டது என்று ஆசிய கிரிக்கெட் கவுன்சில் (ஏசிசி) தலைவர் ஜெய் ஷா புதன்கிழமை செய்திக்குறிப்பில் தெரிவித்தார். “ஐக்கிய அரபு எமிரேட்ஸ் புதிய இடமாக இருக்கும், அதே நேரத்தில் இலங்கை ஹோஸ்டிங் உரிமைகளை தக்க வைத்துக் கொள்ளும்.”
ஆசியக் கோப்பையின் இந்தப் பதிப்பு மிகவும் முக்கியமானது, ஏனெனில் இது ஆசிய நாடுகள் ஐசிசி உலகக் கோப்பைக்குத் தயார்படுத்த உதவும், மேலும் SLC மற்றும் எமிரேட்ஸ் கிரிக்கெட் வாரியத்தின் புரிந்துணர்வு மற்றும் ஒத்துழைப்புக்காக நான் நன்றி கூறுகிறேன்.
“ஏசிசி ஆர்வமுள்ள இலங்கை ரசிகர்களை கவனத்தில் கொள்கிறது, எனவே இடத்தை மாற்றுவதற்கான இறுதி முடிவு மிகவும் கடினமாக இருந்தது, ஆனால் அவசியமாக கருதப்பட்டது. இருப்பினும், அனைத்து ஏசிசி உறுப்பினர்களின் எண்ணங்களும் கிரிக்கெட்டை விரும்புபவர்களுடன் ஒற்றுமையாக இலங்கை தேசம் இருக்கும்.”
கடந்த 2018-ம் ஆண்டு நடைபெற்ற ஆசிய கோப்பை டி20 முறையில் ஒன்பது அணிகள் பங்கேற்கும். ஐக்கிய அரபு எமிரேட்ஸ், குவைத், சிங்கப்பூர், ஹாங்காங் ஆகிய அணிகள் தகுதிச் சுற்றில் விளையாடும், அதில் வெற்றி பெறும் அணி இந்தியா, பாகிஸ்தான், இலங்கை, ஆப்கானிஸ்தான் மற்றும் வங்கதேசம் ஆகிய அணிகளுடன் முக்கிய போட்டியில் பங்கேற்கிறது.
இலங்கை தற்போது பாகிஸ்தான் தொடரை நடத்தும் அதே வேளையில், அண்மையில் அவுஸ்திரேலியாவுக்கு எதிராக சொந்த மண்ணில் ஒரு தொடரை வெற்றிகரமாக நிறைவுசெய்துள்ள அதேவேளை, தற்போதைய சூழ்நிலையில் ஒன்பது அணிகள் கொண்ட போட்டியை நடத்துவது பாரிய சவாலாக உள்ளது. 2021 டி20 உலகக் கோப்பையை இந்தியாவில் நடத்துவதுடன், ஐக்கிய அரபு எமிரேட்ஸ் பெரிய போட்டிகளை நடத்துவதற்கு ஆதரவான நாடு.
Source ICC
Football
FFSL Misses FIFA Opportunities Again Amid Concerns of Transparency and Inaction
While FIFA continues to invest heavily in global football development through initiatives like Forward 3.0 and Football for Schools (F4S), the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) once again finds itself lagging behind—not because of lack of funding opportunities, but due to its own failures in administration, planning, and transparency.
Millions Left on the Table
FIFA’s Forward 3.0 programme offers USD 8 million per member association for the 2023–2026 cycle—an increase from previous cycles. These funds are specifically allocated for operational costs and football development projects, including infrastructure, national team support, grassroots leagues, and more.
Under Forward 3.0, FIFA allocates:
- USD 5 million for operational costs
- USD 3 million for infrastructure and development projects
Yet, as of April 2025, FFSL has failed to fully leverage these funds. Most notably, Sri Lanka missed out on FIFA’s Football for Schools initiative, which offers USD 50,000, training content, digital platforms, and Adidas footballs for schools. Since the programme began in 2019, over 100 nations have actively rolled it out. Sri Lanka is not one of them.
Lack of Vision or Lack of Will?
Despite FIFA’s clear roadmap and generous funding, FFSL’s inability to fulfill the conditions required—such as active domestic leagues, functional youth structures, and proper digital systems—has blocked their eligibility for key fund releases.
The federation’s operations are also marred by repeated promises and half-baked publicity stunts. Take for example the international stadium project, which was announced multiple times across various locations—Port City, Negombo, and most recently Colombo—but not a single brick has been laid. These announcements appear to be more about media optics than serious project planning or execution.
Global Benchmark: A Stark Contrast
While other nations are making strides in football development using FIFA funds—as showcased in FIFA’s Member Associations in Focus – January 2025 (link)—Sri Lanka continues to fall behind. Countries like India, Nepal, and the Maldives have successfully hosted international matches, built infrastructure, and even expanded their youth programmes using Forward funding.
Meanwhile, FFSL’s financial practices continue to raise questions. A lack of clear audits, poorly executed projects, and insufficient stakeholder engagement have painted a picture of administrative incompetence.
Time for Accountability
As Sri Lanka’s football stagnates while the rest of Asia pushes forward, fans and stakeholders must demand greater transparency, professionalism, and action. It’s time the FFSL stopped making headlines and started building foundations—literally and metaphorically—for the future of football in the country.
Athletics
Sri Lanka Secures Three Medals at Asian U18 Athletics Championships – Day 3 Highlights
Dammam, Saudi Arabia – April 17
The third day of the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, delivered a vibrant mix of speed, strength, and rising talent from across the continent. Set against the backdrop of Prince Nayef Sports City, over 400 athletes representing 31 nations competed with passion and purpose. Among them, Sri Lanka earned three spots on the podium with standout performances in track and field.
🌟 Sewmini Fernando was the star on the track, sprinting to silver in the Girls’ 100m final. Clocking an impressive 11.92 seconds, she finished just behind China’s Zhang Qian, in what was one of the evening’s most closely watched races. Her performance not only demonstrated raw speed but also Sri Lanka’s growing potential in sprint events on the Asian stage.
🥉 Meanwhile, in the Boys’ 1500m final, Lahiru Achintha displayed excellent race awareness and endurance, finishing in third place with a time of 3:59.47. His tactical approach and strong finish earned Sri Lanka a bronze medal, making him one of the standout middle-distance performers of the day.
🏅 In addition to these podium finishes, Janith Lakshan Jenkins leapt into medal contention in the Men’s U18 Triple Jump, claiming silver with a mark of 15.10 meters, just behind China’s Dong Zhiyuan.
Though only three athletes officially medaled on Day 3, performances across the board showed promise, heart, and competitive spirit — vital traits for building a strong future in athletics.
Stay tuned as Team Sri Lanka continues to compete and inspire at this prestigious youth championship.
🟡 Sri Lanka’s Medal Count – Day 3
🥈 Sewmini Fernando – Girls’ 100m
🥈 Janith Lakshan Jenkins – Boys’ Triple Jump
🥉 Lahiru Achintha – Boys’ 1500m
#SriLankaAthletics #AsianU18 #SewminiFernando #LakshanJenkins #LahiruAchintha #SriLankanYouth #Dammam2025 #TrackAndField #SriLankanSportsTV #PrideOfTheNation
News
Sri Lanka Names 25-Man Squad for Crucial Rugby Clash Against Malaysia
Sri Lanka Rugby has officially received the Sports Minister’s approval for a 25-member national squad, led by seasoned campaigner Nigel Ratwatte, ahead of the high-stakes playoff match against Malaysia. The game will determine qualification for the Asia Rugby Top 4 Championship, a key milestone in Sri Lanka’s bid for a spot at the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The match, scheduled for April 19, is expected to be a fierce contest as the Tuskers aim to re-establish themselves among Asia’s rugby elite. A win would secure home games against South Korea and UAE, with the away fixture coming against Hong Kong.
The squad features a mix of experienced players and promising young talent, showing the depth of Sri Lanka’s rugby potential. Backline firepower includes Danushka Ranjan, Akash Madhushanka, and Janidu Dilshan, while the forward pack boasts names like Janidu Fernando, Pulasthi Dissanayake, and Lasindu Karunathilake.
Approved Squad for Malaysia Match
Forwards:
- Janidu Fernando
- Pulasthi Dissanayake
- Senura Perera
- Naveen Marasinghe
- Thilina Bandara
- Nizran Nillar
- Tharindu Chathuranga
- Lasindu Karunathilake
Backs:
- Heshan Jansen
- Nigel Ratwatte (Captain)
- Janidu Dilshan
- Akash Madhushanka
- Danushka Ranjan
- Dinal Ekanayake
- Mursheed Zubair
Finishers (Replacements):
- Vimukthi Gamage
- Nirosh Perera
- Mohamed Rifan
- Thenuka Nanayakkara
- Pasindu Bandara
- Thanuja Jayaweera
- Dahan Wickramarachchi
- Venura Kodagoda
Standby:
- Malitha Wijesundara
- Hirantha Perera
Team Management & Support Staff
- Chef De Mission: Udaya Hettiarachchi
- Team Manager: Rohan Chinthaka
- Head Coach: Sanath Martis
- Forwards Coach: Dushanth Lewke
- Backs Coach: Saliya Kumara
- Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tharaka Algama
- Team Doctor: Dr. Pradeep Kiriella
- Physiotherapist: Shafin Majeed
- Masseurs: Manoj Silva, Sanka Dilshan de Silva, L. P. P. Sameera
With preparations intensifying, the squad is in full training mode under the guidance of Sanath Martis and his coaching unit. The players are eyeing a return to the continental spotlight, and the nation will be rallying behind the boys in maroon as they take on Malaysia in this do-or-die battle.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for full match coverage and updates.
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