The stage is set for a blockbuster finale in the Sri Lanka Schools Under-19 President’s Trophy Knockout Rugby Tournament as Trinity College and Isipathana College stormed into the final with convincing wins in their respective semi-finals. The much-anticipated final will take place on May 18 at 3:45 PM at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

Quarterfinal Recap:

Zahira College earned automatic qualification to the semi-finals after St. Peter’s withdrew from the tournament.

Trinity College secured a 24-15 win over S. Thomas’ College with a dominant display, scoring three tries, three conversions, and a penalty.

Royal College overcame DS Senanayake College with an emphatic 41-24 win, showcasing their attacking firepower.

Isipathana College proved too strong for Wesley College, triumphing 24-10 to book their spot in the semis.

Semi-final Highlights:

Trinity College vs Zahira College: Trinity continued their fine form, beating Zahira 29-12. Their win came through four tries, three conversions, and a penalty, underlining their dominance in the tournament.

Isipathana College vs Royal College: In a fiercely contested battle, Isipathana edged past Royal 24-17 with three tries, three conversions, and a crucial penalty.

With both teams displaying exceptional skill and resilience throughout the tournament, the final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two powerhouses of school rugby.

Final Match Details:

Trinity College vs Isipathana College

Date: May 18, 2025

Venue: Royal College Sports Complex

Kick-off: 3:45 PM

Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for live updates, post-match analysis, and exclusive coverage of the President’s Trophy final

Sri Lankan bodybuilder Suminda Chamara Idangoda has earned notable success on the international bodybuilding stage, showcasing remarkable dedication and perseverance under challenging circumstances.

Competing at the Jim Morris Legacy Cup held in Canada on April 12, 2025, Idangoda secured third place in both the Masters category and the Light Heavyweight division. His preparation for this event involved a three-month training program under the guidance of his coach, Rizan Azoor, with whom he maintained remote training sessions while moving between Sri Lanka and Canada.

Just weeks later, on May 4, 2025, he competed at the Mindio Show, once again in the Light Heavyweight category. Despite having only 18 days to prepare, he went on to win two gold medals. His coach provided detailed and intensive training support throughout the short preparation period.

Idangoda’s path to success was not without obstacles. He faced financial difficulties and career uncertainty while preparing for the events. He even had to drive over 400 kilometers alone to attend the competitions and spent the night in his car due to a lack of accommodation funds. Despite these hardships, he remained focused and committed to his goal.

These victories have now qualified him to participate in NPC (National Physique Committee) bodybuilding competitions, a major milestone in his career.

Idangoda also expressed his appreciation to those who offered support during his time in Canada.

This achievement stands as a testament to his dedication to the sport and the growing presence of Sri Lankan athletes in international bodybuilding competitions.

Sri Lanka’s humiliating 13-goal downfall in just two matches at the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 has laid bare the critical failures in preparation, technical development, and governance by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

After suffering an 8-0 loss to India and a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Nepal, Sri Lanka crashed out of the tournament without scoring a single goal — a result symptomatic of a poorly planned campaign lacking any strategic foresight.

Despite knowing the SAFF U19 tournament would kick off on May 9, FFSL conducted the final player trials only on March 27, 28, and 29 — giving just over a month for squad selection, tactical preparation, and conditioning. To make matters worse, the team departed for India on May 7, leaving no room for acclimatization or final preparations.

Rather than conducting a proper youth tournament to identify the best talent across the country, FFSL relied solely on trials — a flawed approach that fails to account for the natural ups and downs in player performance. One poor day at trials could cost a talented youngster his chance, while truly elite players may never even get scouted.

Adding further concern was the decision to include Sri Lankan-origin players directly into the starting XI without proper assessments or integration into the team structure. This move, seen by many as superficial, was akin to placing icing on a cake that was never baked.

Despite grand public claims, FFSL’s much-hyped “Y19 Tournament” in collaboration with Lyca Gnanam Foundation turned out to be nothing more than a media stunt. No such competition materialized on the ground, leaving local youth players without the competitive platform they were promised.

This is not only a technical failure but a complete collapse in administrative responsibility. The lack of grassroots planning, long-term youth development frameworks, and regional scouting shows FFSL’s hollow commitment to actual football development.

Even more alarming are the disciplinary concerns, with reports emerging that the U19 head coach physically assaulted five players at the team hotel — if it is ture, a severe breach of professional conduct that demands immediate investigation and accountability.

The blame cannot rest solely on the President of FFSL. The 2023 election saw three influential football administrative figures unite to secure victory. Yet, in the face of this collapse, only the President faces criticism, while the others remain conveniently silent.

It is clear: playing international matches alone won’t develop football. What Sri Lanka needs is a structured, grassroots-driven technical program — not public relations campaigns or shortcuts.

Unless FFSL reforms its approach to youth development, embraces merit-based talent identification, and ensures accountability at all levels, Sri Lankan football will continue to languish in mediocrity, both regionally and globally.