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The four semi-finalists of ” THE BALL BLASTER ” under 20 division 1 Schools  All Island Football Championship 2023.

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Zahira College Colombo, Darussalam College Colombo, Alighar Central College Batticaloa and St.Joseph’s College Colombo have qualified to play in the semi-final of ” THE BALL BLASTER ” Under 20 Division 1 Schools all Island Football Championship 2023, sponsored by Srilankankansportstv, organized and conducted by the Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association, under the guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Education. 

Twenty teams were eligible to participate in      ” THE BALL BLASTER ” under 20 Division 1 Schools All Island Football Championship 2023 and were divided into 4 groups. The group Champions and the Runner of each group were considered qualifiers to play in the quarter-final. The 20 teams who participated were St. Joseph’s College Colombo, De Mazenod College Kandana, Hameed Al Husseini College Colombo, Kingswood College Kandy, and Darussalam College Colombo played in group ” A “, Jaffna Central College, Zahira College Colombo, Baduriya Central College Mawanella, Muslim Central College Kalutara and Alighar Central College Batticaloa played in group ” B “, St. Patrick’s College Jaffna, St. Henry’s College Jaffna, Gateway College Colombo, Zahira College Gampola and Maliyadeva Model School Kurunegala played in group ” C “, St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya, Al Aqsa College Kinniya, Maris Stella College Negombo, St. Benedict’s College Kotahena and Vaddakachchi Central College Kilinochchi played in group ” D “. The Champion and the Runner from group ” A ” were Darussalam College Colombo and St. Joseph’s College Colombo, The Champion and Runner from group ” B ” were Zahira College Colombo and Alighar Central College Batticalao. The Champion and the Runner Up from group ” C ” were St.Henry’s College Jaffna and Zahira College Gampola. The Champion and Runner from group ” D ” were Vaddakachchi Central College Kinniya and Maris Stella College Negombo.  

In the quarter-final matches played Darussalam College Colombo, Champions of group ” A ”  beat Maris Stella College Negombo, the runner-up from group ” D ” by 2 goals to nil. St. Joseph’s College Colombo, the runner-up from group ” A ” beat Vaddakachchi Central College Kinniya, Champions from the group ” D ” by 3 goals to 2. Alighar Central College Batticaloa, the runner-up from group ” B ” beat St. Henry’s College Jaffna,  Champions from group ” C ” by 5 goals to nil. Zahira College Colombo, Champions from group ” B ” beat Zahira College Gampola,  Runner up from group ” C ” by 6 goals to nil. 

In the Semi-final of ” THE BALL BLASTER ” under 20 division 1 all Island Schools Football Championship 2023, Zahira College Colombo will encounter Darussalam College Colombo while Alighar Central College Batticaloa will encounter St. Joseph’s College Colombo. The winners from these two encounters will qualify to play in the final of ” THE BALL BLASTER ” Championship 2023.

Cricket

KSCA Officials Resign Over Chinnaswamy Stampede; RCB Faces FIR in Tragic Victory Celebration Fallout

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In a tragic turn of events following Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) historic IPL 2025 title win, a deadly stampede at the celebratory event held at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium claimed 11 lives and injured several others. The aftermath has sparked controversy and accountability issues, leading to major resignations and legal action.

Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) secretary A Shankar and treasurer ES Jairam resigned on Friday, citing “moral responsibility” for the incident. Their resignations were submitted to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat, as questions mount over mismanagement and negligence at the overcrowded venue.

The Bengaluru Police have filed an FIR listing RCB, DNA Entertainment (event partner), and KSCA as accused parties. Police confirmed that the event had not been granted official permission. In a swift move, Nikhil Sosale, RCB’s head of marketing and revenue, was arrested—raising further scrutiny over organizational lapses.

KSCA has filed a writ petition calling the FIR a “knee-jerk” reaction under political pressure. They argued that crowd control and gate management were the responsibilities of RCB and the event organizers, not KSCA.

RCB has announced INR 10 lakh compensation for each victim and committed to covering all medical expenses of the injured. However, the franchise has yet to make a comprehensive public statement.

This incident raises serious concerns about sports event management and safety standards, casting a shadow over what was supposed to be a moment of celebration in Indian cricket

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Football

Asia Leads the Charge as 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Begin to Take Shape

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The road to the historic 2026 FIFA World Cup is gaining momentum, and Asia is already making its mark on football’s grandest stage. With an expanded format featuring 48 teams and co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition promises to be the most inclusive and diverse yet — and Asia is stepping up early.

🇯🇵 Japan Sets the Benchmark for Asia

Japan was the first nation worldwide to book their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring their dominance in Asian football. Unbeaten in their qualifying campaign with six wins and one draw, the Samurai Blue continue to be the standard-bearers for the continent.

🇮🇷 Iran Continues Consistent Form

Iran soon followed Japan, securing their seventh overall World Cup appearance and fourth consecutive berth. The team remained undefeated in their group, showcasing the experience and tactical depth that has made them a fixture on the world stage.

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan Makes Historic Debut

In one of the most emotional stories of the qualifiers so far, Uzbekistan qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup. A gritty 0-0 draw against the UAE was enough for the Central Asian side to clinch a spot, sparking nationwide celebrations. Their rise highlights the growing strength of second-tier Asian nations on the global stage.

Asia’s Presence Grows in 2026 Format

Asia is guaranteed eight slots in the 2026 World Cup — a significant jump from previous editions — allowing the region to showcase more talent, depth, and emerging football powerhouses. With teams like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Australia still in the hunt, the continent could make a serious impact come 2026.

Global Context

The tournament’s expanded format and host countries in North America mark a new era for international football. With 104 matches, 16 host cities, and an increased number of participants, it will be a celebration of global diversity — and Asian nations are ready to shine.

Countries Qualified So Far

  • Asia: 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
  • Oceania: 🇳🇿 New Zealand
  • South America: 🇦🇷 Argentina

(Additional qualifiers from other confederations are ongoing.)

As the countdown to 2026 begins, all eyes are on Asia’s rising stars — ready to challenge the world and redefine the future of football.

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Cricket

Sachithra Senanayake Indicted in Landmark Match-Fixing Case Under Sri Lanka’s Anti-Corruption Law

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Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sachithra Senanayake has been formally indicted before the Hambantota High Court, marking a historic first in Sri Lanka’s efforts to criminalize corruption in sports. The charges stem from an alleged match-fixing attempt during the 2020 Lanka Premier League (LPL), making Senanayake the first player to face prosecution under Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Offences Related to Sports Act No. 24 of 2019.

Senanayake, currently out on bail, is accused of attempting to influence Colombo Kings player Tharindu Ratnayake to underperform during the tournament. The incident reportedly occurred via a WhatsApp message, which was later flagged by a local anti-corruption officer, prompting an official investigation in 2020.

The case falls under the landmark legislation introduced in 2019 by then Sports Minister Harin Fernando, which criminalizes match-fixing and related offenses in the country. If convicted, Senanayake could face a prison term of up to 10 years, a fine reaching Rs. 100 million, or both.

The indictment signals a serious shift in Sri Lanka’s approach to tackling corruption in sports. Authorities hope this high-profile case will serve as a strong deterrent against similar offenses in the future.

Senanayake, once a celebrated off-spinner and a member of Sri Lanka’s victorious 2014 ICC T20 World Cup squad, now faces the grim prospect of being remembered not for his achievements on the field, but for his role in one of Sri Lanka’s most significant match-fixing scandals.

As the case unfolds, it casts a spotlight on the broader issue of corruption in sports and reinforces the urgent need for integrity, vigilance, and transparent governance across all levels of competition in Sri Lanka

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