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Oxford Presidents Cup 2024: Excitement Builds as Hameed Al Husseinie College Hosts Prestigious Soccer Tournament for 14th Year

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Colombo, January 24, 2024 – The eagerly anticipated Oxford Presidents Cup (Challenge Trophy) is set to kick off on the 3rd of February 2024 at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo. Organized by the Group of 80’s of Hameed Al Husseinie College, Colombo, and generously sponsored by Oxford Group, this tournament has become a staple in promoting soccer among school children and the wider public for the 14th consecutive year.

Objectives of the Tournament

The primary objectives of the tournament include popularizing soccer, fostering fellowship among participants regardless of background, and providing a vibrant platform for young talents to develop character for future local and international soccer events. The tournament also aims to prepare players for larger grounds and floodlit matches, offering a golden opportunity for selectors from the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association and the National Team to identify and nurture future talents.

Key Dates and Venues:

  • Opening Day Match: 3rd February 2024 at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.
  • Pre Quarters & Quarter Finals: 4th, 5th, and 11th February 2024 at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.
  • Semi Final: 18th February 2024 at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo.
  • Grand Finale: 10th March 2024 at Racecourse Ground, Colombo 7.

Brief History of College Football:

Established in 1884, Hameed Al Husseinie College, Colombo, boasts a rich history spanning over 140 years. Not only has the institution produced notable personalities in various fields, but it has also been a powerhouse in sports. The school, instrumental in training the first-ever world champion in Sri Lanka, continues to shine in football. Over the years, it has clinched major titles across various tournaments, making it a renowned name in school football.

Themes and Recent Achievements:

As ardent football promoters, the organizers have introduced themes for each year. This year’s theme is the “President Trophy.” In the previous edition, Hameed Al Husseinie College emerged victorious in a thrilling finale against Kaluthara Muslim Central College, Colombo, securing a historic 2-0 win in front of a packed crowd at Racecourse Ground.

Invited Teams for Oxford Presidents Cup 2024:

  1. Ananda College, Colombo
  2. De Mazenod College, Kandana
  3. Aligar Central College, Eravur
  4. St Benedict’s College, Colombo
  5. St Mary’s College, Negambo
  6. Maristella College, Negombo
  7. Hameed Al Husseinie College, Colombo
  8. Baduriya Central College, Mawanella
  9. St. Joseph’s College, Colombo
  10. St. Peters College, Colombo
  11. D S Senanayake College, Colombo
  12. Gateway International, Colombo
  13. Wesley College, Colombo
  14. S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia
  15. Royal College, Colombo
  16. Al Mubarak National School, Malwana
  17. Darussalam College, Colombo
  18. Isipathana College, Colombo
  19. Dharmadutha College, Badulla
  20. Zahira College, Colombo
  21. St. Henry’s College, Jaffna
  22. Al Hilal Central College, Negambo
  23. Al Humaizara College, Beruwala

With an impressive lineup of schools and a history steeped in excellence, the Oxford Presidents Cup 2024 promises to be a showcase of talent, sportsmanship, and the enduring spirit of soccer. Fans and enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the kickoff of this prestigious tournament that has become a highlight in the Sri Lankan school football calendar.

Match Fixtures

Football

Uzbekistan Dominate Sri Lanka 10-0 in AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers

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Colombo, June 29 – The Sri Lanka Women’s National Football Team suffered a crushing 10-0 defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan in their opening fixture of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, exposing not only the performance gap on the field but also the deep-rooted structural failures off it.

From kickoff, Uzbekistan showcased their superiority with relentless attacking football, scoring five goals in each half. The match statistics tell a story of complete dominance:

  • Shots on Target: 14 (Uzbekistan) vs 0 (Sri Lanka)
  • Possession: 70% (Uzbekistan) vs 30% (Sri Lanka)
  • Dangerous Attacks: 137 (Uzbekistan) vs 28 (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka managed only two shots in the entire match—none of which tested the opposition goalkeeper—while spending most of the game pinned back in defense.

However, beyond the scoreboard, this defeat highlights a more alarming truth: the lack of commitment to women’s football by local authorities. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has failed to organize a single women’s tournament domestically in recent years, and the squad selected for this major continental qualifier was chosen solely through a limited trial. There was no competitive platform or league for players to develop or prove themselves ahead of international duty.

This performance is not just a reflection of the players’ inexperience—it’s a direct consequence of administrative negligence. FFSL must take full responsibility for this embarrassing result, as it continues to send underprepared teams to international tournaments merely to safeguard its position, rather than genuinely investing in the development of Sri Lankan football.

Even more concerning is the silence from the Ministry of Sports. Despite the humiliating performances of the Under-20 team in the recent SAFF Championship and now the senior women’s team in the AFC qualifiers, no action has been taken, and no accountability has been demanded. The ministry’s indifference to these repeated failures raises serious questions about its role in ensuring sports governance and development in Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lankan football continues to struggle, it is clear that without structural change, genuine investment, and accountability, results like these will only continue.

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News

Dialog Schools Rugby League Week 4: Powerhouses Dominate as Rivalries Intensify

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The fourth week of the 2025 Dialog Schools Rugby League brought high-octane action across Colombo and Kandy, as traditional rugby giants asserted dominance while title ambitions sharpened. Here’s a round-up of the top matches that defined the week:

Trinity Outmuscles St. Joseph’s at CR & FC

Trinity College, Kandy, continued their unbeaten streak with a commanding 29-07 win over St. Joseph’s College, Maradana at the CR & FC grounds in Colombo. Trinity crossed the whitewash five times with 5 tries and 2 conversions, displaying explosive forward play and well-structured phases.

St. Joseph’s struggled to match Trinity’s physicality but managed a consolation try and conversion. At halftime, Trinity led 22-0, setting the tone early and maintaining control throughout.

Wesley Tames St. Peter’s in Tight Clash

At Havelock Park, Wesley College recorded a gritty 23-05 victory over St. Peter’s College. The Wesleyites scored 3 tries, 1 conversion, and added 2 penalties, proving their clinical edge under pressure.

St. Peter’s could only respond with a single try and failed to find rhythm. Wesley led 8-0 at the break and controlled territory effectively in the second half.

Isipathana Outguns Zahira in a High-Scoring Thriller

In one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend, Isipathana College edged out Zahira College 38-27 at Zahira Grounds. Isipathana scored 6 tries and 4 conversions, showcasing pace and creativity in attack.

Zahira fought back gallantly with 4 tries, 2 conversions, and a penalty, pushing the defending champions to the limit. At halftime, Isipathana led 26-8, and though Zahira launched a strong second-half rally, the Green Machine held on.

Royal Routs Vidyartha in Dominant Display

Royal College, Colombo, was at their clinical best as they overcame Vidyartha College, Kandy, 29-07 at the Royal Complex. The home side dotted down 5 tries and 2 conversions, demonstrating power rugby and slick handling.

Vidyartha managed a single converted try but struggled to contain Royal’s powerful forwards and rolling mauls. Royal led 12-7 at halftime before pulling away in the second half.

Looking Ahead

With teams like Trinity, Isipathana, and Royal continuing to impress, the Dialog Schools Rugby League 2025 is shaping up for a thrilling finish. Fans can expect tighter games and fierce battles as title dreams grow stronger.

Stay tuned with Sri Lankan Sports TV for full match reports, results, and exclusive school rugby coverage!

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Athletics

Sri Lanka Shines at Thailand Open 2025 with 11-Medal Haul

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The Sri Lankan athletics team wrapped up a remarkable campaign at the Thailand Open Athletics Championship 2025, securing an impressive 11 medals, including 6 golds, during the competition held from June 21 to 25 in Bangkok.

The Sri Lankan squad, made up of eight athletes—four men and four women—delivered standout performances across track and field events, making the nation proud on the international stage.

Leading the charge was Rusiru Chathuranga, who clinched double gold in the Men’s 800m and 1500m events. Vicknaraj Vakshan added to the tally with a gold in the 5000m and a silver in the 1500m, while W.K.L.A. Nimali matched that feat by claiming gold in the Women’s 800m and silver in the 1500m.

Madushani Herath showed her dominance in the field events, capturing gold in both the long jump and triple jump. Ayomal Akalanka earned silver in the Men’s 400m hurdles, and Wathsala Hapuarachchi took silver in the Women’s 100m hurdles. Safreen Ahmed contributed a bronze medal in the Men’s triple jump.

While seven out of eight athletes reached the podium, Amasha de Silva narrowly missed out, finishing fourth in the Women’s 100m final, showcasing a commendable performance.

The full team is expected to return to Sri Lanka today after a tour that highlights the depth of talent in local athletics and signals strong potential ahead of upcoming regional events

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