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Sri Lanka to kick start T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa on 3rd June

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Sri Lanka will kick start their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 against South Africa in their first game in New York on 3rd June in a Group D match.

The date was released following the schedule reveal for the showpiece event on Friday.

Sri Lanka and South Africa are slotted alongside Bangldesh, Netherlands and Nepal in Group D for the league stage games, the schedule showed.

Following the opening game against South Africa on 3rd june in New York the former Champions will face arch rivals Bangladesh in their second outing on 7th June in Dallas.

In their third outing Sri Lanka face off against Nepal in Florida and travel to St. Lucia to take on Netherlands in their final group assignment on June 16th.

The tournament is being co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA with 20 teams, divided into four groups of five sides each, making it the largest-ever T20 World Cup. Sixteen teams contested in the last edition in 2022 in Australia.

The tournament will start on June 1 with a match between the USA and Canada. The semi-finals are scheduled for June 26 in Guyana and June 27 in Trinidad while Barbados will host the final on June 29.

England are the title holders, having beaten Pakistan in Melbourne in November 2022.
The group stage matches will be played from June 1 to 18 while the Super 8 games are slotted from June 19 to 24.
The top two teams from each group will enter the Super 8, where the teams will be clubbed into two groups of four each.
The top two teams in each Super 8 group will advance to the semifinals.

A total of 55 games will be played across six venues in the West Indies — Kensington Oval, Barbados; Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad; Providence Stadium, Guyana; Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua; Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia; Arnos Vale Stadium, St Vincent — and three stadiums in the USA — Eisenhower Park, New York; Lauderhill, Florida and Grand Prairie, Texas.

Group A: India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, USA.
Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman.
Group C: New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea.
Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal. 

Saturday, June 1: USA v Canada (Dallas)
Sunday, June 2: West Indies v Papua New Guinea (Guyana), Namibia v Oman (Barbados)
Monday, June 3: Sri Lanka v South Africa (New York), Afghanistan v Uganda (Guyana)
Tuesday, June 4: England v Scotland (Barbados), Netherlands v Nepal (Dallas)
Wednesday, June 5: India v Ireland (New York), Papua New Guinea v Uganda (Guyana), Australia v Oman (Barbados)
Thursday, June 6: USA v Pakistan (Dallas), Namibia v Scotland (Barbados)
Friday, June 7: Canada v Ireland (New York), New Zealand v Afghanistan (Guyana), Sri Lanka v Bangladesh (Dallas)
Saturday, June 8: Netherlands v South Africa (New York), Australia v England (Barbados), West Indies v Uganda (Guyana)
Sunday, June 9: India v Pakistan (New York), Oman v Scotland (Antigua)
Monday, June 10: South Africa v Bangladesh (New York)
Tuesday, June 11: Pakistan v Canada (New York), Sri Lanka v Nepal (Florida), Australia v Namibia (Antigua)
Wednesday, June 12: USA v India (New York), West Indies v New Zealand (Trinidad)
Thursday, June 13: England v Oman (Antigua), Bangladesh v Netherlands (St Vincent), Afghanistan v Papua New Guinea (Trinidad)
Friday, June 14: USA v Ireland (Florida), South Africa v Nepal (St Vincent), New Zealand v Uganda (Trinidad)
Saturday, June 15: India v Canada (Florida), Namibia v England (Antigua), Australia v Scotland (St Lucia)
Sunday, June 16: Pakistan v Ireland (Florida), Bangladesh v Nepal (St Vincent), Sri Lanka v Netherlands (St Lucia)
Monday, June 17: New Zealand v Papua New Guinea (Trinidad), West Indies v Afghanistan (St Lucia)
Wednesday, June 19: A2 v B1 (Antigua), B1 v C2 (St Lucia)
Thursday, June 20: C1 v A1 (Barbados), B2 v D2 (Antigua)
Friday, June 21: B1 v D1 (St Lucia), A2 v C2 (Barbados)
Saturday, June 22: A1 v D2 (Antigua), C1 v B2 (St Vincent)
Sunday, June 23: A2 v B1 (Barbados), C2 v D1 (Antigua)
Monday, June 24: B2 v A1 (St Lucia), C1 v D2 (St Vincent)
Wednesday, June 26: Semi-final 1 (Guyana)
Thursday, June 27: Semi-final 2 (Trinidad)
Saturday, June 29: Final (Barbados)

Football

Lifebuoy Ball Blaster 2025: Sri Lanka’s Biggest School Football Showdown Gears Up

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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.

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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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