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Breaking Waves: Arugam Bay’s Girls’ Surf Team Challenges Gender Norms in Sri Lanka

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Arugam Bay, a vibrant surf hub in Sri Lanka’s south-eastern Ampara district, has long been a magnet for international surfers and home to global surf competitions. Now, it’s making headlines for a groundbreaking movement led by a group of determined women challenging traditional gender roles and cultural norms.

Over the past decade, a local girls’ surf team has emerged as a beacon of change, proving that surfing is not just a sport but a powerful tool for empowerment. The journey began with WL Shamali Sanjaya, now 36, who was one of the first women from her coastal village to embrace surfing in 2011. Inspired by the encouragement of an American family residing in the area, Shamali took the plunge, defying societal expectations in a community where women were traditionally confined to household roles or academics.

“There was this perception that surfing was not suitable for women in our culture,” Shamali shared from Baby Surf Point, a popular spot for beginners. “Even within my family, there were initial objections. But my maternal grandmother stood by me. I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong, and I wasn’t afraid to stand my ground.”

Her fearless journey inspired other women from the Tamil and Sinhalese communities in the multi-ethnic district to pick up surfboards and ride the waves. By 2018, the growing interest led to the creation of the Arugam Bay Girls Surf Club, which became the first officially registered female surf club under the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka.

This milestone represents more than just sports—it’s a movement reshaping societal attitudes and showcasing the transformative power of surfing. As these women continue to conquer waves and stereotypes, they’re setting an example for future generations in Sri Lanka and beyond.

Arugam Bay’s surf story is no longer just about its world-class waves—it’s about breaking barriers and making history.

Source: The Hindu

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Football

Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!

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The Super Eight Round of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 (Under 20 Division 1 Boys Football Tournament) has ended on a high note, producing four standout teams that will battle for a place in the final. Below is a comprehensive look at the match results, final points tables, and key highlights from the tournament so far.

Match Results Overview

  1. St. Joseph’s College 4-0 Darussalam College
  2. Kalutara Muslim Central 2-3 Alighar National School
  3. Hameed Al Husseine College 1-0 Al Falah College
  4. Zahira College 4-0 St. Patrick’s College
  5. St. Joseph’s College 1-1 Alighar National School
  6. Darussalam College 7-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
  7. Al Falah College 0-3 Zahira College
  8. St. Patrick’s College 0-4 Hameed Al Husseine College
  9. Alighar National School 5-1 Darussalam College
  10. St. Joseph’s College 1-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
  11. Zahira College 2-0 Hameed Al Husseine College
  12. Al Falah College 3-2 St. Patrick’s College

Group A Standings

RankTeamPWDLGFGAGDPoints
1Alighar National School321094+57
2St. Joseph’s College321061+57
3Darussalam College310289-13
4Kalutara Muslim Central College3003211-90

Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):

  • Alighar National School
  • St. Joseph’s College

Group B Standings

RankTeamPWDLGFGAGDPoints
1Zahira College330090+99
2Hameed Al Husseine College320152+36
3Al Falah College310236-33
4St. Patrick’s College3003211-90

Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):

  • Zahira College
  • Hameed Al Husseine College

Summary & Semi-Final Preview

  • Alighar National School and St. Joseph’s College finished level on points at the top of Group A. Their draw against each other kept the race tight, but both teams delivered strong performances in the remaining matches to secure 7 points each.
  • Zahira College dominated Group B with three consecutive wins, scoring 9 goals and conceding none. Hameed Al Husseine College followed suit, showcasing solid defense and earning 6 points to claim the second semi-final berth.
  • Darussalam College, Kalutara Muslim Central, Al Falah College, and St. Patrick’s College showed fighting spirit but fell short in the quest for the knockout stage.

Semi Finals

  • Alighar National School will face Hameed Al Husseine College in the Semi Finals
  • Zahira College will face St. Joseph’s College in the Semi Finals

The semi-finals promise high-octane clashes as the top contenders face off. Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for exclusive match previews, live coverage, and post-match analysis as we approach the grand finale of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025.

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World Rugby Sets Final Deadline for Sri Lanka Rugby Governance Reforms

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World Rugby has extended Sri Lanka Rugby’s (SLR) deadline until June 15, 2025, to address its governance issues, warning that failure to comply will result in immediate sanctions, including a possible ban from international competitions.

Acknowledging the persistent efforts of Sri Lanka’s Competent Authority and Director General of Sports, Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando, World Rugby remains firm on its conditions. SLR must implement a revised constitution and conduct elections within the next four months to meet international standards.

To oversee these reforms, a Working Taskforce has been formed, featuring representatives from World Rugby, Asia Rugby, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka, and the Sri Lankan government. Led by Asia Rugby, this task force is responsible for guiding SLR through the required changes.

The reform process consists of two key phases. The initial phase focuses on reviewing voting eligibility, finalizing constitutional amendments, and organizing a Special General Meeting (SGM). The next phase involves adopting the new constitution at the SGM, followed by elections monitored by World Rugby, Asia Rugby, and local sports authorities.

SLR has faced repeated scrutiny over governance failures, prompting multiple interventions from international rugby bodies. With this deadline set, Sri Lanka Rugby has one final opportunity to align with global governance standards and secure its future in international rugby.

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Football

Sky Market Travels Joins Hands with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football

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Sky Market Travels, a leading travel agency, has partnered with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football to contribute to the development of school football in the country.

As a first step, Sky Market Travels (Pvt) Ltd has joined as a sponsor for the Sri Lanka Schools’ National Championship 2024 Under-20 Division One tournament, organized by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Association.

This prestigious tournament, featuring 20 of Sri Lanka’s top school teams, has long been a vital platform for young players to showcase their talent at the national level. By stepping in as a sponsor, Sky Market Travels is playing a key role in supporting the future of Sri Lankan school football.

The event was attended by the President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, Jaswar Umar, the Head of the Coach Education Department and former National Team Captain, Sampath Perera, Elite Youth Manager Dudley Steinwal, Members of Schools’ Football Association, and the Managing Director of Sky Market Travels (Pvt) ltd Mohamed Faroos, the President of the Negombo Poruthota Soccer Fans Rizwan, and its Manager Nufri.

With this partnership, Sky Market Travels has taken a significant step in uplifting school football and providing aspiring young footballers with better opportunities to excel at the national level.

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