S. Thomas’ and Gateway to play their fifth annual football encounter
S.Thomas’ College, Mt Lavinia and Gateway College are all set for the 5th annual Football encounter, played for the ‘Neville de Alwis-Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy’ on January 18 at the Racecourse ground in Reid Avenue, Colombo.
As in the past, the students from one of Sri Lanka’s elite private schools, will pit their skills against the formidable footballers from a premier international school, in an atmosphere of friendly, healthy rivalry and camaraderie.
The main focus of the day will be the Under-20 encounter for the ‘Neville de Alwis-Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy’ along with Under-12, Under-14, Under-16 and Alumni matches set to be played prior to the main game. Further, the Gateway College girls will showcase their talents against Colombo International School (CIS), in an exhibition game.
This year’s event is organised by Gateway College, and is scheduled to be played from 9.30a.m. with the Under-12 and Under-14 games running parallel. This will be followed by the Under-16 boys’ game at 10.45a.m., followed by the Gateway vs CIS girls exhibition match at 12.15p.m. and the Alumni game at 1.30p.m.
The Under-20 game, the main encounter, match will kick off at 3.30p.m. Yohan Deshapriya, the COO of the principal sponsors ‘Skills College of Technology’ will be the guest of honour. The organisers are confident that this encounter will enhance enduring traditions and unite the two institutions, both on and off the field.
S. Thomas’ College
(Seated from left): Chaminda Balachandra (Master in-charge), M .M .Mukthar, H.S.D. de Silva (Captain), Rev. Marc Billimoria (Warden), A.A. Fernando (Vice Captain), R .N. Jeshuran, P. Sunil Shantha (Coach) Middlw row from left: G.K. Rathnam, S.A. Liyanagunawardane, H.G.M. Dias, E.N. Lawrence, A.A. Janees, M.H. Yusuf, A. Varenthiran Top row from left: M.R. Gurusinghe, J.R. Rajadurai, A. Haveshan, A.I. Jaleel, K.E. Lawrence, J. Vishnukumar, J.K. Nilukshan, R.H. Rabel, Priyankara Perera (Head Coach), A.T. Lawrence
Gateway College
(Seated from left): Jayanthi Somasekaram de Silva (Head of Sports), James Heath (Head of Football/Head Coach), Dr. Harsha Alles (Chairman Gateway Group), Umar Shakil (Captain), Mandil Nanayakkara (Vice Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), Thilaka Jinadasa (Team Leader Sports Development), Jony Rukshan (Coach) (Middle row from left): Nusraan Nazeer, Luqmaan Shafraz, Zaki Ashraff, Hunan Haleem, Thevindu Jayakody, Nadal Senapala, Anuk Dassanayake, Ahmed Hijaazy, Inaz Ahamed Top row from left: Humaidh Irshad, Hamood Rizwan, Aidan Perera, Inas Iqbal, Zamil Moulana, Nasir Zuhry, Sayuru Kalhan, Brian Herath