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Sri Lankan Sports TV Files Complaint to Ministry of Education Over Ball Blaster 2024 Sponsorship Exclusion

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In a significant development, Sri Lankan Sports TV has officially lodged a complaint with the Secretary of the Ministry of Education, raising concerns over the abrupt removal of its sponsorship rights for the ongoing U20 Football Championship, popularly known as the Ball Blaster 2024. This decision came without prior notification to the management, who expressed both surprise and disappointment over the exclusion.

The Ministry’s Secretary acknowledged the complaint, informing Sri Lankan Sports TV management that several grievances have been filed recently against the School Football Association. These complaints, according to sources within the Ministry, have highlighted a pattern of alleged mismanagement and irregularities in handling sponsorships and event administration.

In response to these concerns, the Secretary confirmed that the matter will be directed to the Additional Secretary for an official inquiry. This investigation will consolidate the current complaint with previous reports, suggesting that a comprehensive review of the School Football Association’s practices may be forthcoming.

Sri Lankan Sports TV, a well-known supporter of youth football in Sri Lanka, has been actively involved in promoting grassroots sports across the island. The exclusion from the Ball Blaster 2024 sponsorship marks a notable setback for the network, which had invested considerable resources to cover and support the event.

Management representatives of Sri Lankan Sports TV stated, “Our commitment to developing youth sports is unwavering. We are disappointed by this unexplained decision, and we look forward to a transparent inquiry to address the issue.”

The football community and stakeholders alike will be closely watching the inquiry’s outcome, hoping for a resolution that prioritizes transparency and fair treatment for all involved parties in the promotion of youth sports in Sri Lanka.

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Football

I League 2025: New Star SC Breaks Silence on Mohamed Sahi Transfer Dispute

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Club Claims Legal Ownership of Player and Denies Any Tie with Crystal Palace FC Gampola

Colombo – June 16, 2025:

New Star Sports Club has issued an official clarification to Sri Lankan Sports TV in response to recent allegations raised over the eligibility of player Mohamed Sahi, who appeared for them in the ongoing I League 2025.

The controversy began when Crystal Palace FC Gampola claimed the player had been part of their club and was not officially released to play for another side. However, New Star SC has now provided a detailed counter-statement, presenting what they claim is a legitimate and documented timeline of events.

Timeline of the Transfer (According to New Star SC)

  • January 15, 2025: Mohamed Sahi was officially released by his previous club Eravur YSS.
  • January 16, 2025: He signed a one-year contract with New Star SC for the 2025/26 season for a fee of Rs. 85,000. annum.
  • Following this, New Star SC completed the player’s registration for the I League 2025, adhering to the official player registration guidelines and transfer protocols.

Official Documents and Tournament Committee Approval

New Star SC further stated that all relevant documentation regarding Sahi’s release, contract, and registration was submitted to the I League Tournament Committee, and the player’s inclusion in the squad was formally approved before the tournament began.

The club emphasized that:

All documents were verified by the tournament organizers, and the player was approved to participate under New Star SC. There was no contractual or regulatory tie between Mohamed Sahi and Crystal Palace FC Gampola.

On Crystal Palace FC Allegations

Responding directly to the claims by Crystal Palace FC, New Star SC clarified that:

  • Mohamed Sahi had only appeared in friendly and 7-a-side games for Crystal Palace, with no official registration or contract in place.
  • Therefore, any claims of ownership or breach of agreement by Crystal Palace are factually incorrect and unsupported by documentation.

Regulatory Backing

As per the I League 2025 Competition Regulations (Sections 15–17), a player is deemed eligible if:

1. They are officially released by their previous club;

2. They are duly contracted and registered within the tournament’s registration window;

3. Their documentation is verified and approved by the Tournament Committee .

If these requirements were met — as New Star SC claims — then the player was legitimately registered.

What’s Next?

While this clarification from New Star SC provides a strong rebuttal to the allegations, it remains to be seen whether the I League Tournament Committee will issue a public statement or ruling to close the matter.

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Football

I League 2025 Controversy: Player Transfer Dispute Raises Serious Questions

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New Star SC under scrutiny over fielding an ineligible player, Mohamed Sahi, without Crystal Palace FC Gampola’s release

A player registration controversy has emerged during the I League 2025 involving New Star Sports Club and Crystal Palace FC Gampola, potentially violating multiple tournament regulations.

According to reliable reports, Mohamed Sahi, who was formerly registered with Eravur YSS, joined Crystal Palace FC Gampola in February 2025 — a move publicly announced on the club’s official Facebook page.

However, during the ongoing I League tournament, the same player was found listed in the New Star SC squad, raising alarm over a potential unauthorised transfer.

Officials from Crystal Palace FC have confirmed that the club did not release Sahi for any transfer, nor were they informed about his participation with New Star SC in the I League 2025. This suggests a clear breach of both the club-player agreement and the player registration regulations outlined by the I League organizers.

The I League 2025 regulations — particularly under Section 15: Eligibility of Players and Section 16: Registration — strictly prohibit participation without proper registration and release. Clubs are required to register players within the designated transfer window and ensure full compliance with contracts and club agreements. Failure to adhere to these requirements can lead to sanctions, including disqualification and suspensions, as stipulated in the Disciplinary and Ethics Code

This is not the first time New Star SC has faced disciplinary action. In 2020, the club was suspended from the FFSL President’s Cup semi-final after a protest by Blue Eagles SC over fielding an overage U19 marquee player under alleged forged documents — a scandal that led to the resignation of a New Star official who also served on the FFSL Competition Committee.

Growing Concerns Amid Reforms

As Sri Lanka Football Federation (FFSL) and national team authorities work to rebuild the sport’s integrity and international standing, such cases of administrative malpractice threaten to undo recent progress. With the national team performing admirably and the FFSL pushing for reforms, these incidents are a stain on the domestic football system.

This incident serves as a critical reminder that transparent and ethical conduct is non-negotiable if Sri Lankan football is to move forward. The I League Disciplinary Committee is expected to take swift action to investigate and enforce appropriate sanctions if rules have been breached.

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South Korea Edge Sri Lanka in Thrilling Opener of Asian Rugby World Cup Qualifier

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In a closely contested opener of the Asian Rugby Championship – Emirates Edition, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, South Korea narrowly defeated Sri Lanka with a final score of 38-34 at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo yesterday (June 13).

This tournament is crucial in determining Asia’s second qualifier for the upcoming Rugby World Cup, with Japan having already secured their place through the world rankings. The event features four top-tier Asian rugby nations: Sri Lanka, South Korea, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.

Despite the loss, Sri Lanka delivered an impressive performance, going head-to-head with a strong South Korean side. Lasindu Karunaratne of Sri Lanka was named Player of the Match for his outstanding contribution on the field.

Sri Lanka is scheduled to face United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong in the remaining two matches of the series. The tournament, organized by Asia Rugby, features the continent’s top four teams selected based on performance and aims to determine the final Asian representative for the global stage.

The opening match drew notable attendance, including Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Sunil Kumara Gamage, who witnessed the action live.

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for full coverage of the qualifiers and exclusive content from the ground.

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