News

Renown Football Academy sponsors the All Island Under 18 Schools Football Championship for the eighth consecutive year

Published

2 years ago

November 5, 2023

Editor

M.H.Yakeem

Twenty teams will battle it out for the All Island under 18 Division 1 Boys Schools Football Championship 2023, sponsored by Renown Football Academy, organized and conducted by the Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association, under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Education.

Renown Football Academy, founded by Robert Peiris is sponsoring this tournament for the 8th consecutive year. They are also sponsoring the Girls under 18 tournament and the Boys under 18 division 2 tournament as well, where nearly more than 30 Girls schools and 100 plus Boys schools are expected to participate.

The Academy’s main vision is to guide and support the younger generation on the right path with the basics of the sport from the grassroots level. That is why when most sponsors backed off due to the financial crisis in the country the Academy sponsored almost all of the schools’ football tournaments for 2022 including the All Island Under 14 Boys and Girls, Under 16 Boys and Girls, Under 18 Boys and Girls and under 20 Girls Schools Football Championships considering the kids who had trained for a year would have missed out on the main tournament in the schools football calendar. Our long-term goal is to provide a career pathway through football by working together with the relevant authorities and corporate sponsors explained Sritharan Peeris, President of the Renown Football Academy at the press briefing held at the Sports Ministry Complex, Torrington Square, Colombo – 07 on the 14th of October 2023.

The 20 teams, who are eligible to play in the Division 1 tournament are divided into 4 groups and the matches will be played on a league basis. The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-final.

Muslim Central College Kalutara, St. Joseph’s College Colombo, De Mazenod College Kandana, Dharmadutha College Badulla, and St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya are drawn in the group ” A “, Hameed Al Husseinie College Colombo, St. Benedict’s College Kotahena, Royal College Colombo, Maris Stella College Negombo, and Maliyadeva Model School Kurunegala are drawn in group ” B “, Wesley College Colombo, Zahira College Colombo, St. Henry’s College Jaffna, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, and Lumbini College Colombo are drawn in group ” C “, Jaffna Central College, Al Aqsa National School Kinniya, St. Patrick’s College Jaffna, Al Hikma College Colombo, and St. Mary’s College Negombo are drawn in group ” D “.

The teams will be Captained by P.Dineth Vishmitha ( St. Joseph’s College Colombo ), A.M. Athiq ( Dharmadutha College Badulla ), M. Adeesha Dewthilina Dias ( De Mazenod College Kandana ), W.M. Kavisha Nethmal Fernando ( St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya), Rufan Akmal ( Muslim Central College Kalutara ), Mohamed Fazlan ( Hameed Al Husseinie College Colombo ), Nichol Aaron De Croos ( Maris Stella College Negombo ), Inuka Nonis ( Royal College Colombo ), Magage Tharindra Adithya Perera ( St. Benedict’s College Colombo ), D.M. Onija Wathsuka ( Malyadeva Model School Kurunegala ), F.R. Fareeq Ahamed ( Zahira College Colombo ), Akeesha Rashmika (Lumbini College Colombo ), Abdul Haadi (Wesley College Colombo ), Sri Muralitharan Johanan ( St. Henry’s College Jaffna ), Nimna Sandew Karunasinghe ( Maliyadeva College Kurunegala ), Uvanthirarasa Yalarasan( Jaffna Central College ), Calistus Siyam ( St. Patrick’s College Jaffna ), Kaveen Lashan ( St. Mary’s College Negombo ), Mohamed Shahid ( Al Hikma College Colombo ), Mohamed Sammi (Al Aqsa National School Kinniya ).

Caption

The Captains of the under 18 division 1 Schools Football teams with the President of the Renown Football Academy, Sritharan Peeris, Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association Secretary, U.M.S. Dissanayake and other school officials

Cricket

Croospulle’s Century Powers Sri Lanka ‘A’ to Comfortable Win

Published

2 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Editor

A brilliant century from Lasith Croospulle guided Sri Lanka ‘A’ to a convincing 44-run victory over New Zealand ‘A’ in the second unofficial ODI played in Hambantota.

After being put in to bat, Sri Lanka ‘A’ posted a formidable 368/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Croospulle led the charge with a brilliant 103 off 76 balls, striking 13 fours and six sixes in an aggressive display. He was well supported by Sonal Dinusha, who hammered 93 off 77 deliveries, and captain Sahan Arachchige, who contributed a solid 74. The top order maintained a high scoring rate throughout, consistently putting pressure on the visiting bowlers. Despite a few wickets falling at regular intervals, the hosts kept the momentum intact to reach an imposing total.

In response, New Zealand ‘A’ faced a revised target of 203 in 28 overs but managed only 158/3. Curtis Heaphy top-scored with an unbeaten 53, while Dale Phillips added 34. However, the required run rate proved too steep as Sri Lanka ‘A’ bowlers maintained control. Dilshan Madushanka struck early, and Milan Rathnayaka and Ravindu Fernando chipped in with key wickets to restrict the chase.

Cricket

Sri Lanka U19 Women suffer narrow defeat in thrilling encounter

Published

4 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka U19 Women suffered their first defeat of the tri-series after a dramatic one-wicket loss to Australia U19 Women in Match 3 of the Under-19 Women’s Tri-Series in Australia.

Batting first, Sri Lanka U19 Women posted a modest total of 174 in 49.3 overs. The innings was built around a patient 25 off 56 balls by V. Balasuriya and a brisk 20 from U. Peiris, but the side struggled to build lasting partnerships. Australia’s bowling attack kept things tight throughout, with M. Barwick leading the effort with an impressive 3 for 22, well supported by disciplined spells from the rest of the unit.

In response, Australia U19 Women chased down the target in 43.1 overs, finishing at 175 for 9 in a nail-biting finish. A. Dermody anchored the innings with a crucial 59 off 81 deliveries, while I. Panelli added a valuable unbeaten 37 off 43 balls to guide the hosts over the line.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers made a strong effort to defend the total, led by A. Thalagune’s outstanding five-wicket haul (5 for 42), which kept the contest alive until the final moments. N. Upeksha also provided excellent support with 3 for 5, applying pressure during the middle overs.

News

Sri Lanka Eyes Long-Term Cricket Revival as Government Unveils Structured Plan

Published

7 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Editor

Sri Lanka’s journey back to cricketing excellence will require patience, planning, and sustained effort, according to Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage, who addressed Parliament on the future of the sport.

Highlighting the challenges facing the national game, the minister noted that the decline in cricket along with other sports—has unfolded over more than a decade. As a result, he cautioned against expectations of a quick turnaround, emphasizing that meaningful progress will take time.

Building strong athletes and competitive teams is a gradual process. It’s not something that can be rushed or treated like a short-term project

Gamage revealed that the government has already put in place a comprehensive, structured programme designed to rebuild the foundations of Sri Lankan cricket. He stressed that the initiative is focused on long-term development rather than immediate results.

Responding to criticism from opposition groups, the minister dismissed claims questioning the effectiveness of the plan, insisting that the strategy is firmly on track.

He also expressed confidence in the country’s ability to reclaim its former cricketing stature, assuring that the efforts underway will ultimately deliver results.