CBL Samaposha continues powering Schools U-14 Football Championship for 13 consecutive years
View(s):The much awaited competition, regarded as the springboard for young boys and girls to showcase their talents, will be held in the months of January and February, aptly organised and conducted by the SLSFA, under the able guidance and direction of the FFSL. With over 12,000 school children of both genders taking part in the tournament, the enthusiastic response to the school football championship over the years has been exceptional from schools islandwide.
CBL Samaposha officials handing over the sponsorship package to SLSFA and FFSL officials
Participants for the championship are from across all 25 districts of the island with matches to be held in 32 centres, with 492 boy’s teams and 118 girl’s teams in contention. In the tournament, 32 winning boy’s teams and 28 girl’s teams will qualify for the second round to be held in Vavuniya.
The first round of the tournament began on January 1, while the second round is scheduled for February 1, 2 and 3 in Vavuniya. Special recognition and awards are to be presented at the end of the tournament for the best player and the best goalkeeper from both the boys and girls categories.
“CBL Samaposha sponsor this football tournament with the aim of developing the interest of Sri Lankan school children in football, thereby building teamwork, discipline, and future sporting aspirations. As a local company, it is our aim to always support the future of the nation and that is what we hope to achieve through the tournament’s sponsorship,” commenting on the championship, CBL Food Cluster Director and Chief Executive Officer, Manjula Dahanayake said.
Manjula Dahanayake of CBL Samaposha handing over the Boy’s Trophy to SLSFA President Bandara Leelaratne
“We are committed to further developing the world’s most popular sport, football, for the youth and every citizen of the country. The CBL Samaposha U-14 Championship goes beyond any football game, as it a tournament that aims to nurture the future generations. Joining hands with CBL Samaposha, we aim to hold another unforgettable football tournament that will showcase the talents and skills of our school players,” expressing his views, the President of FFSL Jaswar Umar noted.
The President of the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association, Bandara Leelarathna emphasised that competition is unique as students from remote cities and areas of the country have the opportunity to participate and compete.
“The Under-14 teams are now significantly better prepared. Therefore, we have high expectations for this year’s competition. I would like to thank CBL Samaposha for supporting these endeavours towards a successful competition,” he stated.
Sachi Fernando of CBL Samaposha hands over the Girls’ Trophy to Lt. Col. Anura Abeywickrema of Ministry of Education
“The tournament may be the first tournament a football player will compete in. Therefore, it will have an immense impact on their future sporting career. Such tournaments will continue to be essential for the sporting arena,” commenting on the rapid growth and popularity of football, the Director Sports and Physical Education, Ministry of Education, Lt. Col. Anura Abeywickrema said.
Samaposha is the flagship brand of CBL Plenty Foods, a wholly owned subsidiary of the CBL Group. It is the number one nutritional breakfast cereal brand in the country and is committed to empowering children and their families across the island providing them with the highest quality nutrition through strong value chains with the country’s farming communities.