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Autokitz Cricket Club in a thrilling 15-run win against Royal Masters.

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The newly formed Autokitz Cricket Club registered a thrilling 15-run win over Royal Masters in a 25 overs Cricket encounter, played at the Royal College turf Cricket ground, Colombo- 07 recently.

Autokitz Cricket Club batting first, lost their opening batter with the score at zero on board and wickets falling at regular intervals, they were 7 wickets down for 74 runs at one stage with Janith Jayasinghe, Ishan Perera and Isurunath Dissanayake contributing with double figures. Danushka Gajanayake scored 16 runs including 2 fours and a six and Geeshan Ayeshana scoring 24 runs including 3 fours and a six got the board ticking with useful knocks. Milan Maduwantha played a solid innings stroking 34 runs not out in 28 balls including 3 sixes and a four and well supported by Shahen Rodrigo took them to a challenging total. Rasika Peiris and Senaka Senarathne claiming 3 wickets each and Sisila Indraratne, Nuwan Perera and Lasantha Perera claiming 1 wicket each were the pick of the bowlers.

Royal Masters in reply, lost their first wicket at 10 runs on board, Shezard Nizar stroking a gallant 42 runs in 47 balls including 5 fours together with Faizal Yousuf also playing a magnificent inning scoring 42 runs 47 balls including 2 fours and 2 sixes, the pair together added 92 runs for 2nd wicket and a useful knock of 21 runs in 22 balls including 3 fours by Lasantha Perera put them to a commanding position. With the dismissal of these 3 batters, Autokitz Cricket Club bowlers, Lakshman Rodrigo, Hasika Chameera, Ishan Perera and Geeshan Ayeshana bowling with a tidy line and length, captured 4 more vital wickets, Isurunath Dissanayake taking a well-judged catch, Dhanushka Gajanayake taking 2 extra ordinary catches and wicket keeper, Dhanushka Hannadige dismissing a Royal Masters batter with a fine run out, slowed the run rate and turned the match in favour of Autokitz Cricket Club to win by 15 runs. Geeshan Ayeshana with an excellent all-round performance earned him the Man of the Match award.

Scores

Autokitz Cricket Club 166/9 in 25 overs

Janith Jayasinghe 12, Ishan Perera 33, Isurunath Dissanayake 10, Geeshsn Ayeshana 24, Dhanushka Gajanayake 16, Milan Maduwantha 34 not out, Rasika Peiris 3/12, Senaka Senarathne 3/34

Royal Masters – 151/7 in 25 overs

Shezard Nizar 42, Faizal Yousuf 42, Lasantha Perera 21, Hasika Chameera 2/17, Geeshan Ayeshana 2/29

Caption

The winning Autokitz Cricket Club team

Football

AIFF Faces FIFA, AFC Ban Threat as October 30 Deadline Looms

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Indian football is staring at yet another international suspension as FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) have jointly warned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to ratify its long-pending constitution by October 30, 2025, or risk a complete ban from world football.

In a strongly-worded two-page letter sent on Tuesday (August 26) to AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, FIFA and AFC expressed “profound concern” over the failure to finalise and implement a revised constitution, a matter pending before India’s Supreme Court since 2017.

If suspended, India’s national teams and clubs would be barred from all international competitions, while the country’s ambitious 2036 Olympic Games bid in Ahmedabad could also be thrown into uncertainty.

FIFA & AFC Ultimatum

The letter, signed by FIFA’s Chief Member Associations Officer Elkhan Mammadov and AFC Deputy General Secretary Vahid Kardany, set out three urgent requirements for the AIFF:

1. Obtain a definitive Supreme Court order approving the revised constitution.

2. Ensure full compliance with FIFA and AFC statutes.

3. Formally ratify the constitution at the next AIFF General Meeting.

Failure to comply, they warned, would trigger sanctions, including full suspension of AIFF membership.

Previous Suspension in 2022

This is not the first governance crisis to hit Indian football. In August 2022, FIFA suspended the AIFF for “third-party interference” after a court-appointed Committee of Administrators temporarily ran the federation. That ban lasted just two weeks, lifted only after fresh elections were held in which Kalyan Chaubey defeated football legend Bhaichung Bhutia.

Domestic Fallout – ISL in Crisis

The deadlock has already disrupted Indian football at the domestic level. The Indian Super League (ISL), India’s top-tier professional league, has been put “on hold” by Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the AIFF’s commercial partner, due to uncertainty over its Master Rights Agreement, which expires in December 2025.

At least three clubs have suspended operations or delayed salaries, while all 11 ISL clubs have warned of an “existential crisis.” Reports from FIFPRO further highlight cases of players’ contracts being terminated, leaving livelihoods at risk.

The Supreme Court of India will hear the matter again on August 28, a session that could determine the immediate future of the ISL and India’s football calendar.

What’s at Stake

If AIFF fails to meet the October deadline, India could lose:

• Participation in FIFA and AFC tournaments.

• Entry rights for national teams and clubs in international competitions.

• Momentum in its 2036 Olympics bid.

• Credibility with players, fans, and commercial partners.

For now, the football fraternity in India waits anxiously for the Supreme Court’s verdict and AIFF’s ability to steer through yet another governance storm

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Football

Heritage Derby Trophy Goes to Hameed Al Husseinie College

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Colombo – Hameed Al Husseinie College emerged victorious in the prestigious Heritage Derby Trophy football encounter against Zahira College, Maradana, securing a 3–1 win at the Colombo Racecourse grounds yesterday.

The match kicked off under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, adding special significance to this annual football rivalry.

Hameed Al Husseinie College took control early, leading 2–0 at halftime before sealing the victory with a third goal in the second half. Zahira College managed to pull one back, but it was not enough to challenge the dominant performance of the winners.

The trophy presentation was held soon after the final whistle, with the principals of both schools — Rizvi Marikkar of Zahira College and Mrs. Dain of Hameed Al Husseinie College — present to witness the celebrations.

This latest victory adds another chapter to the rich history of the Heritage Derby, further cementing Hameed Al Husseinie College’s reputation in school football.

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Football

Exclusive: AFC Fines Sri Lankan Footballer Over “Free Palestine” Message

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Colombo – June 13
Sri Lankan national footballer Mohamed Thilham, who recently made headlines after displaying a “PRAY FOR FREE PALESTINE” message on his undershirt during post-match celebrations, has now been officially penalized by international football authorities.

Following Sri Lanka’s 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers on June 10 at the Colombo Racecourse Stadium, Thilham—a non-playing substitute—unveiled the message, drawing both praise and criticism from various quarters.

⚠️ AFC Sanctions Player with USD 2,000 Fine

FIFA, in coordination with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has now issued a formal disciplinary notice to the player, imposing a USD 2,000 fine. This letter, according to sources within the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), was sent addressing to Thilham, underscoring AFC stance on politically charged expressions at official matches.

According to FIFA’s Disciplinary Code, players are prohibited from displaying political, religious, or personal slogans during matches or official ceremonies. While Thilham’s gesture occurred after the final whistle, FIFA and AFC treat any action within the stadium environment as part of official conduct.

⚽ FFSL Under Scrutiny for Disciplinary Action

FFSL President Jaswar Umar previously stated that the act “was not authorized by the federation” and “violates international football disciplinary norms.” He also confirmed that the FFSL would take internal disciplinary action against the player.

However, this incident has reignited public debate over the role of athletes in social advocacy and the limits imposed by international sports law. While some supporters see Thilham’s actions as courageous and morally driven, others have raised concerns about the player’s career stability and future opportunities under increasing scrutiny.

📝 Editorial Insight

At Sri Lankan Sports TV, we initially chose to withhold the content of the message in our match coverage—out of responsibility to the player’s career and to respect global sports protocol. However, the message went viral after several social media users circulated the full image, seemingly with the intention of sparking controversy.

The resulting spotlight has unfortunately led to a formal penalty, underscoring the real-world consequences that athletes may face when international regulations intersect with personal conviction.

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