Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Friday, 15 February 2019 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The 2018 Under 14 Interschool Football Championship sponsored by Samaposha was held recently for the 10th consecutive year, with over 12,000 eager participants from 500 boys’ schools and 150 girls’ schools across the length and breadth of the country competing to grasp the coveted trophy. 33 boys’ teams and 25 girls’ teams who scored high at District Level participated in the qualifying matches, held from 5-8 February at 4 different locations in Colombo, with the final round held at the Race Course International Grounds.
Bandiwewa Maha Vidyalaya, Polonnaruwa scored 10-9 to emerge the victorious Girls’ Champions, after a close tussle with Parakramabahu Vidyalaya, Polgahawela, while Maliyadeva Girls School came third. The Best Player from the Girls’ teams was M.L. Senulmi Himasha from Bandiwewa Maha Vidyalaya, Polonnaruwa, while the Best Goal Keeper from the Girls’ teams was A.P. Erandika Harshani from the same school.
The nail-biting fight for the Boys’ Championship was between Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Kalutara and St. Henry’s College, Jaffna, with Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya scoring 2-0 to secure a spectacular win. Kinniya Al Abdul Majid College won third place. The Best Player from the Boys’ teams was M.F.M. Farahaz from Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Kalutara while M.N. Ahamed from the same school became the Best Goal Keeper.
This year’s championship achieved several notable milestones. One was that Maliyadewa Balika in Kurunegala reached the finals for the seventh consecutive time in the history of Samaposha School Football Championship.
Plenty Foods Director/CEO Shammi Karunaratne commented: “Samaposha is a brand dedicated to the importance of a healthy breakfast for the nation’s children to ensure health and fitness, and takes pride in encouraging the nation’s youths to achieve excellence in sports and enjoy an active lifestyle. We are delighted to sponsor the Under 14 Interschool Football Championship for the tenth successive year, and are pleased to congratulate this year’s champions and celebrate a decade of the championship that has brought together eager participants from all over Sri Lanka.”
North Central Province Assistant Director in charge of Physical Education and Sports Hemantha Abeykoon commented: “Samaposha and CBL have been sponsoring the Championship throughout the past decade, and we sincerely appreciate the vital role CBL plays and the tremendous contribution they make as a committed and dedicated sponsor. They have contributed to uplifting sports in Sri Lanka and encouraging and inspiring the nation’s children to take to sports as an important tool in building a healthy nation.” Sports Ministry Special Consultant Sunil Jayaweera was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony, while CBL Plenty Foods Senior Managers, who were present as the sponsor, included: CBL Plenty Foods Director/CEO Shammi Karunaratne, CBL Food Cluster General Manager (Marketing) Jayanga Perera, CBL Plenty Foods Brand Manager V.P. Govinna, CBL Food Cluster Assistant General Manager (Sales) Prasad De Alwis, and CBL Food Cluster Activation and Promotions Manager Sisira Gunewardene.
Among the officials who graced the occasion were Sri Lanka Football Federation President Anura De Silva; Associate Director in charge of Physical Education and Sports Athula Wijewardene, and Ministry of Education Additional Secretary (School Services) N.S.B. Disanayake.
Samaposha takes pride in promoting sports activities that benefit the nation’s young children and is a much loved and appreciated nutritious breakfast cereal that promotes health and fitness.
