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Autokitz Cricket Club in an easy eight-wicket win against the Architects 

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M.H.Yakeem 

Autokitz Cricket Club registered an easy 8-wicket win against the Architects, in a limited-overs Cricket encounter, played at the Gateway Complex Grounds, Seeduwa recently. 

Autokitz Cricket Club won the toss and put the Architects to bat, Architects lost opener, Kanishka Padmapani, brilliantly run out by Dhanushka Gajanayake at the score of zero on board. Another opener,  M. Vinoth, playing a star-studded innings,  stroking a well-compiled 65 runs in 36 balls, including 12 fours and a six, finally was dismissed as the 4th batter at the score at 74 runs on board.  With wickets falling at regular intervals, Azwin Haq was the only batter to reach double figures. A splendid bowling performance by Ishan Perera,  capturing 4 wickets for 6 runs in 2.1 overs, and well supported by Geesara Dangalla and Hasika Chameera,  who claimed 2 wickets apiece, and Malka Prabath capturing 1 wicket, folded the Architects innings for 98 runs. 

Autokitz Cricket Club in reply,  openers Ravindu Samarasinghe and Pujitha Gunawardena made a bold reply with an unbroken partnership of 78 runs for the 1st wicket, Ravindu Samarasinghe playing a marvelous inning stroking a glorious half-century in 29 balls, including 9 fours and 2 sixes and Pujitha Gunawardena supporting his teammate, playing a gallant innings scoring 29 runs in 32 balls, including 6 fours, Ravindu Samarasinghe was the first to get dismissed at the score at 78 runs,  followed by Pujitha Gunawardena, who was dismissed at the score at 88 runs. Isurunath Dissanayake, an experienced batter in the side on 6 runs not out, and Gaveesha Buddhimal on 8 runs not out, the pair together, steered Autokitz Cricket Club to an easy 8 wickets win, with 7 overs to spare. Aswinda Ranathunga was pick of the bowlers, capturing both the wickets. 

Architects       –    98 all out in 14.2 overs 

M.Vinoth 65, Azwin Haq 12, Ishan Perera 4/12, Geesara Dangalla 2/16, Hasika Chameera 2/31, Malka Prabath 1/23

Autokitz Cricket Club  – 104/2 in 13 overs

Ravindu Samarasinghe 50, Pujitha Gunawardena 29, Gaveesh Buddhimal 8 not out, Isurunath Dissanayake 6 not out,  Aswinda Ranthunga 2/12 


Caption 

The Autokitz Cricket 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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