News
Packeer Ali commented on Sri Lanka lost against Bangladesh in SAFF

Former National team Head Coach commented on the loss against Bangladesh in SAFF Championship 2021.
“Gentlemen facts are stubborn:-
Competitive match practice is essential for players, clubs, and national teams before participating in a major tournament.
Bangladesh concluded its premier league very recently where I was a participant as a head coach for the Bangladesh Police team and I know very well the level of the competition. Furthermore the quality of the foreign players from Brazil, Argentina, Russian states, and Africa who are playing for each and every club.
Then again soon after the completion of the Premier League, Bangladesh competed in a three-nation tournament in Krykistan before the Oredoo Cup in the Maldives.
Whereas Sri Lanka’s major tournament got disrupted due to the covid situation, then again Mr. Jaswar’s tireless efforts of trying to send the Sri Lanka national team to Qatar for training failed due to the covid situation.
Qatar tour would have been a fantastic training program for the lads where the team could have played some really competitive matches before the Maldives.
Thanks again to the President Mr. Jaswar who made it possible for the Sri Lanka national team to train in Riyadh.
With the above facts, I think Sri Lanka did well by losing 0 – 1 against a stronger experienced Bangladesh squad by a penalty.
Winning matches is possible if we approach the rest of the games by using the players in their appropriate positions, the first eleven starters, substitutions – the correct player at the correct time as per situation and definitely the style of play (eg. Direct play to a target player or constructive football) also not forgetting the strategy plan to win or draw as per the present situation.
We from outside have to support and encourage the players throughout the tournament.
BEST WISHES SRI LANKA SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM. DON’T GIVE UP HOPE. FIGHT AND BOUNCE BACK.”
Football
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Concludes – Semifinalists Confirmed!
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
- St. Joseph’s College 4-0 Darussalam College
- Kalutara Muslim Central 2-3 Alighar National School
- Hameed Al Husseine College 1-0 Al Falah College
- Zahira College 4-0 St. Patrick’s College
- St. Joseph’s College 1-1 Alighar National School
- Darussalam College 7-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
- Al Falah College 0-3 Zahira College
- St. Patrick’s College 0-4 Hameed Al Husseine College
- Alighar National School 5-1 Darussalam College
- St. Joseph’s College 1-0 Kalutara Muslim Central
- Zahira College 2-0 Hameed Al Husseine College
- Al Falah College 3-2 St. Patrick’s College
Group A Standings
Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Alighar National School | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 4 | +5 | 7 |
2 | St. Joseph’s College | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 7 |
3 | Darussalam College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 3 |
4 | Kalutara Muslim Central College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
Top Two (Advancing to Semifinals):
- Alighar National School
- St. Joseph’s College
Group B Standings
Rank | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Zahira College | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | +9 | 9 |
2 | Hameed Al Husseine College | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
3 | Al Falah College | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 3 |
4 | St. Patrick’s College | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 11 | -9 | 0 |
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.
News
World Rugby Sets Final Deadline for Sri Lanka Rugby Governance Reforms
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.
Football
Sky Market Travels Joins Hands with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football
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.
-
Football1 week ago
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2025: Super 8 Fixtures and Grouping
-
Live3 years ago
Live Broadcast of Syria vs Sri Lanka | AFC U23 Asian Championship Qualification
-
Cricket2 weeks ago
Sri Lanka vs Australia 2nd Test: Spin to Dominate as Galle Pitch Set to Turn
-
Football1 month ago
FFSL Rebrands Division-1 as ‘League-One’ with a Bold New Vision
-
Football1 month ago
Sri Lanka Football: Upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualification Matches & Fixtures
-
Football1 month ago
Erling Haaland Signs Record-Breaking 9.5-Year Contract Extension with Manchester City
-
Cricket4 weeks ago
Usman Khawaja Backs Sam Konstas as His Opening Partner Ahead of Sri Lanka Test Series
-
Cricket1 month ago
Kumar Sangakkara to Lead Sri Lanka in International Masters League (IML) 2025