Domestic football to resume after three years

• Inaugural FFSL President’s Youth Cup to kick off from 13 January 

Back row (from left): Sri Lanka National Team Goalkeeper Coach Saman Dayawansa, former Sri Lanka Women’s Football Team Coach L.A.D.H Athukorala, Under-20 National Coach and Manchester Academy President Augustine George, FFSL President Jaswar Umar, Sri Lanka Football Tactical Director Chaminda Neil Steinwall, AFC Match  Commercial M. Aashif and Dr. Chathura Akalanka from the Ministry of Sports

Front row (from left): Under-14 Team Captains: Barcelona - M. Rayan , Colombo F.C - Abdul Rahman Naleem, Java Lane - Mohammed Abdulla Karthi, Sounders Academy - Oneth Malsith Liyanarachchi, Manchester Academy (Racecourse) - Usman Salith, Colombo Youth Academy - M.H. Shakoor and Manchester Academy (Rajagiriya) - Adheeb Ahamed

Back row (from left): Sri Lanka National Team Goalkeeper Coach Saman Dayawansa, former Sri Lanka Women’s Football Team Coach L.A.D.H Athukorala, Under-20 National Coach and Manchester Academy President Augustine George, FFSL President Jaswar Umar, Sri Lanka Football Tactical Director Chaminda Neil Steinwall, AFC Match  Commercial M. Aashif and Dr. Chathura Akalanka from the Ministry of Sports

Front row (from left): Under 16 Captains: Java Lane Academy - Mohamed  Imran Zafrul, Barcelona Academy - M.Izyan, Colombo Youth Academy - M.Aalam Akram, Sounders Academy - Mohomed shaid, Manchester Academy (Racecourse) - Hannas Mohamed Aashif, Colombo F.C Academy - M.I.M Mohamed and Manchester Academy (Rajagiriya) - M.I.M. Abdul Basith

 MSA President George Augustine (left) and FFSL President Jaswar Umar unveiling the FFSL President's Youth Cup 2025 Trophy 

– Pix by Sameera Wijesinghe

By Althaf Nawaz

After a barren domestic calendar of almost three years, domestic football is to resume in the country with the inaugural FFSL President’s Youth Cup scheduled to kick-off from the 13th of this month at two venues, Race Course Stadium and Beddagana Football Complex, respectively.

An academy by the name of Manchester Soccer Academy (MSA) has volunteered to join hands with the local football governing body (FFSL) to launch this noble tournament focusing on youth, which subsequently will be the first tournament to resume after the stoppage.

MSA is one of the vibrant soccer academies out of the 128 registered with FFSL. The tournament will accommodate 6 teams namely Manchester SA, Colombo FC, Saunders, Java Lane, Barcelona and Colombo Youth who will be in fray for honours.

This tournament is an ideal opportunity for players between the ages 14 to 19 to showcase their talent and enable them to represent their schools, before moving into club football later on.

MSA Head George Agustine was quite jubilant to initiate a tournament of this nature involving the youth and to get on board with FFSL to resume the world’s most popular game in the county.

“We are thrilled to launch a tournament of this nature with the support of FFSL. Our motive is to scout the young talent and to train them well to enable them to have a bright future in the game,” said George.

FFSL President Jaswar Umar speaking at this event said, “With the aim of supporting youth soccer, we decided to give our blessings for this event. As an academy MSA has played a pivotal role in developing the game at youth level and this will also enable to resume football in the country. 

“This will no doubt give a kick-start to the game in the country, and we have designed an eventful domestic calendar for the football loving fraternity. As the governing body, we wish MSA all the best and will support them in whatever possible way we can,” concluded Jaswar.