News
Sri Lanka School Football Association and Sri Lankan Sports TV Unveil Ball Blaster 2024 Division 1 Tournament Details

The Sri Lanka School Football Association, in collaboration with Sri Lankan Sports TV, is excited to announce the details for the Ball Blaster 2024 Division 1 tournament. This premier school football event will see 20 top schools competing in a series of 56 matches over three thrilling months, starting on July 7, 2024.
Tournament Structure
Group Stage
The tournament kicks off with the Group Stage, where 20 schools are divided into four groups of five. The groupings are determined through an open draw, organized as follows:
- Pot 1: Ranked 1 to 4, filling the first position in each group
- Pot 2: Ranked 5 to 8, filling the second position in each group
- Pot 3: Ranked 9 to 12, filling the third position in each group
- Pot 4: Ranked 13 to 16, filling the fourth position in each group
- Pot 5: Ranked 17 to 20, filling the fifth position in each group
The top two teams from each group will advance to the League Stage.
League Stage
The League Stage will feature eight teams split into two groups of four, based on their performance in the Group Stage:
Group 1:
– Group A Champions
– Group B Runners-Up
– Group C Champions
– Group D Runners-Up
Group 2:
– Group A Runners-Up
– Group B Champions
– Group C Runners-Up
– Group D Champions
The top two teams from each group will progress to the Play-Off Stage.
Play-Off Stage
The Play-Off Stage is divided into three critical rounds:
- First Qualifier: The champions of Group 1 and Group 2 will face each other. The winner advances to the final, while the loser moves to the second qualifier.
- Eliminator: The runners-up of Group 1 and Group 2 will compete. The winner proceeds to the second qualifier, and the loser is eliminated from the tournament.
- Second Qualifier: The loser of the first qualifier will battle the winner of the eliminator. The winner secures a spot in the final, while the loser is awarded 3rd place.
Grand Final
The tournament will culminate in the Grand Final, where the winners of the First Qualifier and Second Qualifier will compete for the coveted championship title.
Participating Schools
- Alighar National College
- Zahira College
- Darussalam College
- St. Joseph’s College
- St. Henry’s College
- Gampola Zahira College
- Vadakachchi Central College
- St. Patrick’s College
- Hameed Al Husseinie College
- Maris Stella College
- St. Benedict’s College
- Jaffna Central College
- Gateway College
- Muslim Central College
- Baduriya Central College
- Kingswood College
- Al Ameen Vidyalaya
- Royal College
- Kinniya Central College
- Al Falah College
This tournament promises to deliver high-octane football action, showcasing the best of Sri Lanka’s young football talent. Fans can look forward to intense competition and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the event.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for live coverage, exclusive interviews, and all the latest updates from the Ball Blaster 2024 Division 1 tournament.
About Sri Lanka School Football Association:
The Sri Lanka School Football Association is dedicated to nurturing and promoting football at the grassroots level within schools across Sri Lanka. Through organized tournaments and events, the association aims to develop young football talents and foster a strong culture of sportsmanship and teamwork.
About Sri Lankan Sports TV:
Sri Lankan Sports TV is the leading sports broadcaster in the country, committed to bringing the excitement of sports to viewers nationwide. With comprehensive coverage and in-depth analysis, Sri Lankan Sports TV connects sports enthusiasts with their favorite events and athletes.
Cricket
Inaugural ‘Battle of Green’ Set to Ignite a New School Cricket Rivalry
Cricket enthusiasts in Mirigama and Giriulla are in for an exciting showdown as D.S. Senanayake College, Mirigama, and Wickramshila National School, Giriulla, prepare to launch their first-ever “Battle of Green” big match.
This historic encounter will take place at the Mirigama Public Grounds, marking the beginning of a thrilling annual rivalry between the two schools. Fans from both towns are expected to gather in large numbers, adding to the electric atmosphere of this inaugural clash.
The introduction of the Battle of Green is a significant milestone for school cricket in the region, providing a platform for young cricketers to showcase their talent while fostering sportsmanship and competitive spirit.
Stay tuned for match updates, player insights, and exclusive coverage on Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Football
Sri Lankan Football in Crisis: Corruption, Mismanagement, and a Forgotten Future
Sri Lankan football is facing an unprecedented crisis, with corruption, financial mismanagement, and neglect threatening to erase any hope for the sport’s future. Despite repeated warnings, investigations, and calls for reform, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) under its current leadership has continued to operate with impunity, ignoring the development of local players while prioritizing foreign-born recruits.
Audit Findings Ignored – Where is the Accountability?
The Ministry of Sports’ audit report uncovered multiple financial discrepancies within FFSL, yet no action has been taken to rectify them. The Finance Committee raised critical concerns, including:
- Unpaid Media Rights Payment of USD 10,000
- A missing payment for SAFF Sri Lanka match media rights, with public service media confirming they never received the funds.
- The Finance Committee instructed immediate resolution, yet no updates have been provided.
- Unresolved Zolo Football Purchase
- FFSL paid LKR 12,775,000 for Zolo footballs from Ceylon Professional Sports Management (CPSM) without a financial guarantee, violating tender procedures.
- The Finance Committee recommended either securing the footballs or recovering the funds, with escalation to the CID if unresolved. No progress has been reported.
- Unpaid Sponsorship Payment of USD 30,000
- Sponsorship funds from Public Service Media (PSM) for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy remain unaccounted for.
- Despite instructions to resolve the matter, FFSL has failed to provide any updates.
FFSL’s Downward Spiral – A Lost Generation of Footballers
While Sri Lanka’s football governance remains plagued by corruption, the country’s domestic football structure has completely collapsed. There have been no domestic tournaments since 2022, depriving young players of a pathway to professional football. Despite over 42,000 active school-level players across 600 schools, FFSL has failed to support grassroots development, instead using school tournaments for branding while parents bear the costs.
Rather than investing in homegrown talent, the FFSL has prioritized recruiting foreign-based players to represent Sri Lanka’s national team. The current squad is unrecognizable, with only captain Sujan Perera representing local talent. Critics argue that these foreign recruits, most of whom play in third or fourth-tier leagues abroad, are using Sri Lankan representation to boost their own careers while the nation’s domestic football stagnates.
Sri Lanka’s Footballing Reputation in Tatters
The state of Sri Lankan football reached an embarrassing low during the AFC Cup qualifiers when head coach Abdullah Almutairi received a red card—a rare and humiliating moment in international football. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s FIFA ranking has plummeted from 124th to 200th out of 207, driven by alleged embezzlement of FIFA and AFC funds under successive FFSL presidents.
Unlike successful footballing nations, which integrate foreign-origin players into domestic leagues before calling them up to the national team, Sri Lanka’s approach has been reckless and damaging. The lack of Pro License coaches for the past 30 years has further exacerbated the decline, leaving Sri Lanka lagging behind regional peers like India and the Maldives.
FFSL’s Financial Mismanagement & Political Interference
- FFSL has failed to present audited accounts since 2022, with officials suppressing the ministry’s audit report to avoid scrutiny.
- Stolen equipment, including Adidas footballs, bags, and boots, has been traced to top FFSL officials, including former national captains and the finance manager. CCTV footage reportedly supports these claims.
- Despite widespread allegations, successive sports ministers have turned a blind eye, allowing FFSL officials to manipulate narratives and maintain their grip on power.
- The Annual General Meeting (AGM) for 2023-2024 has been postponed until March 2025—deliberately delaying accountability measures.
Will the Government Finally Take Action?
The newly elected government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, campaigned on an anti-corruption platform. Yet, despite the Ministry of Sports uncovering serious financial mismanagement, no action has been taken to hold FFSL accountable.
The time for promises has long passed. If Sri Lanka is to salvage its footballing future, immediate intervention is needed from the government, FIFA, and relevant stakeholders. Failure to act now will not only doom the sport but also betray the thousands of young Sri Lankan footballers who still dream of wearing the national jersey.
The question remains: Will the government finally clean up the mess in Sri Lankan football, or will corruption continue to suffocate the game?
Football
Sri Lanka Faces Thailand in AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers – Live
Sri Lanka is set to take on Thailand in a crucial AFC Asian Cup Qualifier today. With history favoring Thailand in past encounters, the Sri Lankan squad will look to turn the tide and secure a positive result.
Sri Lanka has struggled in previous meetings, losing all five of their last encounters against Thailand, including a 2-0 defeat in their most recent clash in 2022. However, with a revamped squad and fresh motivation, they aim to challenge their higher-ranked opponents.
Thailand, known for its structured play and attacking prowess, will be looking to continue its dominance. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, still in the rebuilding phase, will need a strong defensive display and tactical discipline to stand a chance.
Can Sri Lanka pull off an upset and make a statement on the continental stage? Stay tuned for live updates and post-match analysis.
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