News
Renown Football Academy sponsors the All Island Under 18 Schools Football Championship for the eighth consecutive year
M.H.Yakeem
Twenty teams will battle it out for the All Island under 18 Division 1 Boys Schools Football Championship 2023, sponsored by Renown Football Academy, organized and conducted by the Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association, under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Education.
Renown Football Academy, founded by Robert Peiris is sponsoring this tournament for the 8th consecutive year. They are also sponsoring the Girls under 18 tournament and the Boys under 18 division 2 tournament as well, where nearly more than 30 Girls schools and 100 plus Boys schools are expected to participate.
The Academy’s main vision is to guide and support the younger generation on the right path with the basics of the sport from the grassroots level. That is why when most sponsors backed off due to the financial crisis in the country the Academy sponsored almost all of the schools’ football tournaments for 2022 including the All Island Under 14 Boys and Girls, Under 16 Boys and Girls, Under 18 Boys and Girls and under 20 Girls Schools Football Championships considering the kids who had trained for a year would have missed out on the main tournament in the schools football calendar. Our long-term goal is to provide a career pathway through football by working together with the relevant authorities and corporate sponsors explained Sritharan Peeris, President of the Renown Football Academy at the press briefing held at the Sports Ministry Complex, Torrington Square, Colombo – 07 on the 14th of October 2023.
The 20 teams, who are eligible to play in the Division 1 tournament are divided into 4 groups and the matches will be played on a league basis. The top 2 teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-final.
Muslim Central College Kalutara, St. Joseph’s College Colombo, De Mazenod College Kandana, Dharmadutha College Badulla, and St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya are drawn in the group ” A “, Hameed Al Husseinie College Colombo, St. Benedict’s College Kotahena, Royal College Colombo, Maris Stella College Negombo, and Maliyadeva Model School Kurunegala are drawn in group ” B “, Wesley College Colombo, Zahira College Colombo, St. Henry’s College Jaffna, Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, and Lumbini College Colombo are drawn in group ” C “, Jaffna Central College, Al Aqsa National School Kinniya, St. Patrick’s College Jaffna, Al Hikma College Colombo, and St. Mary’s College Negombo are drawn in group ” D “.
The teams will be Captained by P.Dineth Vishmitha ( St. Joseph’s College Colombo ), A.M. Athiq ( Dharmadutha College Badulla ), M. Adeesha Dewthilina Dias ( De Mazenod College Kandana ), W.M. Kavisha Nethmal Fernando ( St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya), Rufan Akmal ( Muslim Central College Kalutara ), Mohamed Fazlan ( Hameed Al Husseinie College Colombo ), Nichol Aaron De Croos ( Maris Stella College Negombo ), Inuka Nonis ( Royal College Colombo ), Magage Tharindra Adithya Perera ( St. Benedict’s College Colombo ), D.M. Onija Wathsuka ( Malyadeva Model School Kurunegala ), F.R. Fareeq Ahamed ( Zahira College Colombo ), Akeesha Rashmika (Lumbini College Colombo ), Abdul Haadi (Wesley College Colombo ), Sri Muralitharan Johanan ( St. Henry’s College Jaffna ), Nimna Sandew Karunasinghe ( Maliyadeva College Kurunegala ), Uvanthirarasa Yalarasan( Jaffna Central College ), Calistus Siyam ( St. Patrick’s College Jaffna ), Kaveen Lashan ( St. Mary’s College Negombo ), Mohamed Shahid ( Al Hikma College Colombo ), Mohamed Sammi (Al Aqsa National School Kinniya ).
Caption
The Captains of the under 18 division 1 Schools Football teams with the President of the Renown Football Academy, Sritharan Peeris, Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association Secretary, U.M.S. Dissanayake and other school officials
Football
Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025: Sri Lanka’s Biggest School Football Showdown Gears Up
Colombo, September 19 – The countdown is on for the Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 1st Eleven Football Challenge Trophy 2025, the most anticipated school football tournament of the year, set to bring together the best young footballing talent from across Sri Lanka.

Organized under the guidance of the Ministry of Education in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association (SLSFA), and broadcast by Sri Lankan Sports TV, the championship is expected to raise the standard of school football while creating unforgettable memories for players and fans alike.
Tournament Structure
This year’s edition will feature 16 Division 1 schools, divided into four groups of four teams. Over the course of the first round, a total of 24 matches will be played across Colombo, starting in the first week of October with a grand opening ceremony at 2:00 pm.
- Opening Match: Hameed Al Hussaini College vs. Al Falah College, Negombo
- Curtain Raiser: Zahira College, Colombo (defending champions) vs. Darrussaalam College, Colombo
The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals, followed by the semi-finals, before the Grand Finale in the first week of November. The final venue will be chosen based on the teams that qualify, ensuring equal support and excitement from school fans.
Sponsorship Partnerships

A strong line-up of sponsors is powering Ball Blaster 2025, making it a professionally executed tournament.
- Title Sponsor – Lifebuoy: Leading the way, Lifebuoy continues to champion youth empowerment through sport, health, and hygiene, reinforcing its mission to build healthier, more active communities.

- Refreshing Partner – Elephant House Lemonade: A timeless favorite in Sri Lankan households, Lemonade will keep players and fans refreshed as the heat of competition rises.

- Official Travel Partner – Sky Market Travel: Supporting the smooth logistics of the event, ensuring school teams across regions can fully focus on their football journey.

- Official Clothing Partner – Aacty Wear: Outfitting players, referees, and officials with professional, stylish gear that elevates the identity of school football and promotes local sportswear excellence.

First-Time Milestones
For the first time in history, the tournament has launched its very own official anthem, adding an extra layer of pride, passion, and identity to Ball Blaster 2025. The anthem’s lyrical video has already captured the excitement of fans, building momentum as kick-off draws near.
Furthermore, in a significant step towards supporting schools, the organizers have taken the initiative to provide all participating teams with playing kits and official kits. This move ensures equal opportunity and professionalism across the competition, uplifting both the players’ experience and the overall image of the championship.
A Celebration of Youth & Football
“The Lifebuoy Ball Blaster is not just a football tournament; it’s a celebration of youth, talent, and sportsmanship,” the organizers stated. “With the support of our valued partners Lifebuoy, Elephant House Lemonade, Sky Market Travel, and Aacty Wear, we are committed to elevating school football in Sri Lanka.”
Fans nationwide can look forward to live telecasts, highlights, and digital updates on Sri Lankan Sports TV, ensuring the energy of the matches reaches every corner of the country.
As excitement builds, one thing is clear – Ball Blaster 2025 is set to be more than just a tournament; it’s a stage for the next generation of Sri Lankan football stars to shine.
Football
AIFF Faces FIFA, AFC Ban Threat as October 30 Deadline Looms
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
Football
Heritage Derby Trophy Goes to Hameed Al Husseinie College
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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