Connect with us

News

Autokitz Cricket Club in an easy 5-wicket win against Mahawatta Lions 

Published

on

M.H.Yakeem

Autokitz Cricket Club in an easy 5-wicket win against Mahawatta Lions 

Autokitz Cricket Club registered an easy 5 wicket win against Mahawatta Lions in a 40 overs league Cricket encounter,  played at the Gateway Complex ground,  Seeduwa, recently.

Mahawata Lions taking first lease of the wicket, lost an early wicket at the score at 3 runs on board. Wickets falling at regular intervals and useful contributions coming from Mohammed (10), Angelo Dinesh (31) and Shantha (12), steadied the innings and were at one stage reeling at 7 wickets down for 129 runs.  Pradeep Viknesh ( 38 ) including 6 fours coming as the 8th batter, together with the 9th batter A. Anush scoring a brilliant knock (30 not out including 4 fours in 31 balls), the pair together kept the board ticking with a valuable 52 partnership.The 

dismissal of Pradeep Viknesh, the 8th batter scored 181 runs, and the next batter, Asitha being dismissed as the 9th batter at scored 191 runs in the 39th over, Malwatta Lions ended their innings with the last pair just adding 1 run to the total in the last over. Pradeep Aberathne, Janith Jayasinghe, and Geesara Dangalla captured 2 wickets apiece, Hasika Chameera and Vishwa Nirmal with a  wicket each, shared the bowling honors. 

Autokitz Cricket Club in the run chase,  openers Lakshman Rodrigo and Janith Jayasinghe, the pair together made a bold reply with an unbroken 71-run partnership for the first wicket. With the dismissal of Lakshman Rodrigo and the 2nd wicket falling by adding1 run to the total, Pujitha Gunawardena joining the other opener Janith Jayasinghe, who was going great guns with his batting talents, was finally dismissed, as the 3rd batter, playing a star-studded innings, scoring a well compiled  67 runs including 10 fours and 3 sixes in 51 balls at the score at 130 runs on board. Pujitha Gunawardena was next to go as the 4th batter. In-form batter, Isurunath Dissanayake,  who played a brilliant knock by scoring a half-century in his previous game,  continued his fine batting form with a glorious knock scoring 49 runs not out including 5 fours and a six, just falling short by a run for another well-deserved half-century. Sunny Udugama (26) was the 5th batter to get out, with the score of 174 runs on board, Hasika Chameera joined Isurunath Dissanayake, and the pair together, saw Autokitz Cricket Club romped home by ease, with more than 10 overs to spare. Angelo Dinesh capturing 2 wickets and a wicket each by Pradeep Viknesh and Shantha, was the pick of the bowlers. Sumith Perera and P. Liyanage, officiated this game, while Fazal Mohamed was the official scorer.

Scores –

Mahawatta Lions  – 192/9 in 40 overs

Mohammed 10, Vino 43, Angelo Dinesh 31, Shantha 12, Pradeep Viknesh 38, A. Anush 30 not out,  Prasad Aberathne 2/23, Janith Jayasinghe 2/21, Geesara Dangalla 2/24, Hasika Chameera 1/19, Vishwa Nirmal 1/7

Autokitz Cricket Club  – 193/5 in 29.2 overs 

Janith Jayasinghe 67, Isurunath Dissanayake 49 not out,  Sunny Udugama 26, Angelo Dinesh 2/15, Pradeep Viknesh 1/38, Shantha 1/42 The Autokitz Cricket Club winning team 

Football

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

Published

on

By

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

Continue Reading

Football

Heritage Derby Trophy Goes to Hameed Al Husseinie College

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Football

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

Published

on

By

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.

Continue Reading

Trending