News
Zahira College Colombo emerges runner-up of ” The Ball Blaster” Football Championship 2023
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M.H.Yakeem
Zahira College Colombo emerged runner-up by losing to Alighar National School Eravur Batticaloa on penalties ( 5/4 ) in an interesting final of ” The Ball Blaster ” under 20 all Island Division 1 football championship 2023, sponsored by Sri Lankan Sports TV, organised and conducted by the Sri-Lanka Schools Football Association, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, played at the Sugathadasa Stadium last Monday.
The final was scheduled for the 10th Sunday and the match was played on time, due to heavy rain after 10 minutes of play, the officials decided to call off the match and to replay on the next day ( Monday ) to decide the champions of ” The Ball Blaster ” 2023. The final ended in a thrilling nil-all draw and with the decision on penalties, the Zahira College Colombo striker missing the second penalty kick ended them as the runner-up.
Zahira College Colombo drawn from group
” B ” along with Baduriya Central College Mawanella, Muslim Central College Kalutara, Jaffna Central College and Alighar National School Eravur Batticaloa emerged as the Champions in the respective group. Qualifying to the knockout stage, they beat Zahira College Gampola by 6 goals to nil in the quarter-final and qualifying to the semi-final, they beat Darussalam College Colombo by 3 goals to 2 in a thrilling contest to qualify for the final. Zahira College Colombo met Alighar National School in the same group in the final, where they beat them in a league match and, unfortunately, lost the game on penalties.
Football
Sky Market Travels Joins Hands with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football
Sky Market Travels, a leading travel agency, has partnered with Sri Lanka Schools’ Football to contribute to the development of school football in the country.
As a first step, Sky Market Travels (Pvt) Ltd has joined as a sponsor for the Sri Lanka Schools’ National Championship 2024 Under-20 Division One tournament, organized by the Sri Lanka Schools’ Football Association.
This prestigious tournament, featuring 20 of Sri Lanka’s top school teams, has long been a vital platform for young players to showcase their talent at the national level. By stepping in as a sponsor, Sky Market Travels is playing a key role in supporting the future of Sri Lankan school football.
The event was attended by the President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, Jaswar Umar, the Head of the Coach Education Department and former National Team Captain, Sampath Perera, Elite Youth Manager Dudley Steinwal, Members of Schools’ Football Association, and the Managing Director of Sky Market Travels (Pvt) ltd Mohamed Faroos, the President of the Negombo Poruthota Soccer Fans Rizwan, and its Manager Nufri.
With this partnership, Sky Market Travels has taken a significant step in uplifting school football and providing aspiring young footballers with better opportunities to excel at the national level.
Football
Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024: Super Eight Round Standings & Upcoming Matches Preview
The Super Eight Round of the Sri Lanka Schools National Championship 2024 – Under 20 Division 1 Boys Football Tournament has been intense, with teams battling for a spot in the next stage.
Current Standings (After 8 Matches)
Group A
1. St. Joseph’s College – 4 points (1W, 1D, 0L) | Goals: 5-1
2. Alighar National School – 4 points (1W, 1D, 0L) | Goals: 4-1
3. Darussalam College – 3 points (1W, 0D, 1L) | Goals: 7-4
4. Kalutara Muslim Central College – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-10
Group B
1. Zahira College Colombo – 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L) | Goals: 7-0
2. Hameed Al Husseine College – 6 points (2W, 0D, 0L) | Goals: 5-0
3. Al Falah College Negombo – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-4
4. St. Patrick’s College Jaffna – 0 points (0W, 0D, 2L) | Goals: 0-8
Key Highlights So Far
• Zahira College Colombo and Hameed Al Husseine College remain unbeaten in Group B.
• St. Joseph’s College and Alighar National School are leading Group A but are closely followed by Darussalam College, making the race for the semifinals highly competitive.
• Kalutara Muslim Central College and St. Patrick’s College Jaffna are yet to score points and are struggling in their respective groups.
Upcoming Matches & Their Impact
• St. Joseph’s College vs. Alighar National School (MD-5): A potential group-decider as both teams are tied on points.
• Darussalam College vs. Kalutara Muslim Central College (MD-5): Darussalam has a chance to secure a semifinal spot with a win.
• Zahira College vs. Hameed Al Husseine College (MD-6): The top two teams in Group B will clash in a high-stakes match that could determine the group winner.
• Al Falah College vs. St. Patrick’s College (MD-6): A crucial battle for survival in Group B.
With four more matches remaining, every point counts, and teams will be looking to secure their places in the knockout stage. Stay tuned for more updates!
Follow us for match reports, results, and exclusive insights on the Sri Lanka Schools Football Championship 2025.
Cricket
Sri Lanka Masters Set for International Masters League T20 2025 Challenge
Sri Lanka Masters, led by legendary wicketkeeper-batsman Kumar Sangakkara, are all set to compete in the much-anticipated International Masters League T20 2025. The tournament, featuring cricketing greats from six nations, will kick off on February 22 and conclude with the final on March 16 in Raipur, India.
Sri Lanka Masters’ Fixtures
The team will begin their campaign against India Masters on February 22 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. They will then take on South Africa Masters on February 26, followed by a high-voltage clash against Australia Masters on February 28. Their group stage will continue with matches against West Indies Masters on March 6 and England Masters on March 10 before the semi-finals on March 13 and 14.
Squad Overview
The Sri Lanka Masters squad boasts a mix of experience and all-round talent. With Sangakkara leading from the front, the team includes seasoned campaigners such as Romesh Kaluwitharana, Upul Tharanga, and Lahiru Thirimanne. The bowling attack will be spearheaded by Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, and Isuru Udana, while all-rounders like Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, and Chaturanga de Silva provide balance to the squad.
Expectations & Key Players to Watch
With a strong batting unit led by Sangakkara and Tharanga, Sri Lanka Masters will look to dominate in the powerplay and set up big totals. The bowling attack, featuring Pradeep and Lakmal, will be crucial in restricting opposition teams. All-rounders like Prasanna and Mendis could play a pivotal role in tight situations.
As the tournament unfolds, Sri Lanka Masters will aim to make a strong statement and challenge for the coveted title. With cricketing legends returning to the field, fans can expect thrilling encounters and moments of brilliance from the island nation’s seasoned stars.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for exclusive updates and match analysis from the International Masters League T20 2025!
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