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Sri Lanka edge Australia by 7 runs

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U-19 Women’s Tri-Nation T-20 Tournament

The Sri Lanka under-19 women’s team put on a spirited performance to secure a thrilling seven-run victory over U-19 Australia lasses in their first game of the under 19 Tri-nation T-20 cricket series match held at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Thursday (28).

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka managed to score 117 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In response, the Australian team could only reach 110 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs.

Initially, the Sri Lankan women had a slow start with their openers Dewmi Wijeratne (15) and top scorer Sanjana Kavindi struggling to score runs in the first five overs, managing only 18 runs. However, Kavindi later played a brisk innings, scoring 28 runs off 27 balls with 4 fours and a six, contributing significantly to the team’s total. Captain Manudi Nanayakkara (16 off 15 balls with 3 fours), Rashmi Nethanjali (14 off 16 balls with 2 fours), and wicketkeeper Sumudu Nissansala (19 off 17 balls with 3 fours) also played valuable knocks to build the innings. Australian spinners Hasrat Gill and Eleanor Larosa took two wickets each.

Australia, in pursuit of their target of 118, struggled to get going as they found themselves reeling at 17 for 3 wickets in 4.4 overs.

Rashmika Sewwandi and Rashmi Nethrtanjali made early breakthroughs to create pressure for the opponents.

When the chips were down Eleanor Larosa played a handy knock of unbeaten 44 in 41 balls with 5 fours, and Skipper Lucy Hamilton, scored 28 in 30 balls with 4 fours to steady the visitors innings.

However their efforts were too little too late for them to take their team over the line.

Apart from Larosa and Lucy none of the other batters impressed as Australia fell short 8 runs of the target.

Dewmi Vihanga was the pick of the bowlers claiming 2-22.

Sri Lanka will next be in action on Saturday when they take on England at the same venue.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 117/6 (20) (Sanjana Kavindi 28, Sumudu Nisansala 19, Manudi Nanayakkara 16, Dewmi Vihanga 15, Rashmi Nethranjali 14, Rashmika Sewwandi 12*, Hasrat Gill 2/16, Eleanor Larosa 2/21) 

Australia: 110/5 (20) (Eleanor Larosa 44*, Lucy Hamilton 28, Dewmi Vihanga 2/22)

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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