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The 2017 Under-14 Interschool Football Championship sponsored by Samaposha was held for the ninth consecutive year at the Race Course Grounds recently, with over 10,000 schoolchildren from schools across the island vying for the coveted trophy.
Approximately 548 schools participated in the event. There were 30 boys’ teams and 21 girls’ teams. Qualifying matches were held at five locations in Colombo.
Pandateruppu Girls’ High School in Jaffna emerged as the champion with Maliyadewa Balika, Kurunegala becoming the first runner-up and Mahajana College, Jaffna, the second runner-up. The best player from the girls’ teams was Krishanthi Rajendra from Pandateruppu Girls’ High School while the best goalkeeper from the girls’ teams was Sharmila Suriyakumar, also from the champion team.
The final nail-biting boys’ final match was played between St. Joseph’s College Colombo 10 and Gateway International College, Rajagiriya with St. Joseph’s clinching the championship. The first runner-up was Gateway International, Rajagiriya and the second runner-up was De Mazenod College, Kandana. The best player from the boys’ teams was Pathum Gimhana from St, Joseph College and the best goalkeeper from the boys’ teams was Thisula De Silva from Gateway International College.
The championship saw several important milestones. For the first time an international school, Gateway International, made it into the finals. Another record achievement was seen from Maliyadewa Balika, Kurunegala, which entered the finals for the sixth time in the history of the Samaposha School Football Championship.
Plenty Foods Director/CEO Shammi Karunaratne stated: “As a company dedicated to encouraging young people to achieve excellence in sports and enjoy an active lifestyle that ensures good health and fitness, we take great pride in sponsoring the Under-14 Interschool Football Championship for the ninth successive year and are pleased to congratulate this year’s champions. An international school such as Gateway making its presence felt in the championship is also a significant achievement.”
Football Federation Chairman Anura De Silva said: “We greatly appreciate the important role CBL plays as a longstanding sponsor. This has contributed significantly to uplifting sports in Sri Lanka and inspiring schoolchildren to focus on sports and is an important step in building a healthy nation.”
The Senior Managers at CBL Penty Foods, who were present as the sponsor at the final awards presentation, included Shammi Karunaratne – Director/CEO; Theja Peiris – COO; Jayanga Perera -General Manager, Marketing, VP; Govinna - Brand Manager and Sisira Gunawardane – Promotions Manager. Officials who graced the occasion included Anura De Silva - Chairman of the Football Federation, Sri Lanka; Colonel Manjula Kariyawasam - Director of Sports of the Education Ministry; U.S. Jashwar -Secretary of the Football Federation, Sri Lanka; Athula Jayawardena - Deputy Director of Sports at the Education Ministry and N.S.B Dissanayake - Secretary of the School Football Association, Sri Lanka. As a breakfast cereal that promotes health and fitness, Samaposha said it takes pride in promoting sports activities that benefit the nation’s children.
