16 teams vie for inaugural Under-19 Championship by Colombo Football League

Main sponsor Venom Clothing Managing Director Hussain Jiffry (2nd from right), holding the Champions Trophy with Colombo Football League President Mohamed Najibdeen. Others from left: Competition Chairman Aadil Aboobucker, Eppco Lanka Filing Station and Mini Mart Chairman Mohamed Iqbal and Genius Mobile Mohamed Reham 

By Althaf Nawaz 

Sixteen teams will be in the fray at the inaugural under-19 soccer tournament organised and conducted by Colombo Football League (CFL) scheduled for next month at the Campbell Park.

With a view to focusing on the youth, especially the under-19 segment which is a crucial age group just after school, CFL has initiated a program to conduct a competition with a view to unearth talent, which will eventually enable them to don the National jersey.

These 16 teams which comprise players from six schools who have competed at inter school level, and are slotted into 4 groups.

Old Ben’s, Old Anandians, Old Hindu, Old Hameedians, Old Joes and Old Royalist are teams representing the schools segment, while Ratnam, Peterites, New Star ‘A’, Eveready, Kirulapana United, Benson SC, F.C. Kolous, Super Star, New Star ‘B’ and Valencia are the other teams which have confirmed their participation.

A total of 36 matches will be played at one venue with two matches per day. The first match is scheduled to commence at 2.30 p.m. with the next at 4.00 p.m. respectively. Matches will be played only during the weekend commencing from early September.

The organisers have come forward to incur cost of the grounds while rest of the expenses will have to be borne by the competing teams. The winner, runner-up and third placed teams will receive an award and a certificate. In the meantime, the organisers are discussing the possibility of offering a cash reward to the winners, which will be notified later. The final is likely to be conducted in the third week of October.

A leading men’s wear manufacturer Venom Clothing will be their main sponsors while there are several others who have come on board as Gold, Silver and Bronze sponsors.

Group A - Old Royal, Ratnam, Peterites, New Star ‘A’

Group B -Eveready, Kirulapana United, F.C. Kolous, Benson SC

Group C - Old Joes, Old Anandians, Super Star, New Star ‘B’

Group D - Old Hameedians, Old Ben’s, Valencia, Old Hindu