Football: Second season of EFLI American Football now on

With the mission of giving the youth of Sri Lanka the opportunity take part and excel in this exciting game, it was introduced among the Universities in 2014. 

The SAGT trophy will be conducted on Saturday (28) and Sunday (29) at the Race Course Stadium in Torrington. 

It will be participated by 16 University teams from all across the country including teams from Rajarata and Jaffna. 

The games will kick off on both days at 8.30am.

The first ever University Flag Football tournament was held in October 2014 with the participation of 16 University teams mainly from Colombo, Jaffna, Rajarata, Kandy and Pakistan.

Elite Football League of India, Sri Lanka office which was launched in 2011 has been instrumental in promoting the sport of American type of Football in Sri Lanka. 

The game of American Football has lots of parallels with rugby. 

There is a touchdown equivalent of the try which is six points and the conversion an additional point with the goal being seven points in all. 

Each team has 22 players, eleven in attack and another eleven in defense. 

The game is played with protective gear such as helmets, shoulder pads and thigh guards.

With much euphoria about the development of the game in Sri Lanka where it is now dubbed as the fastest growing game in the world, the 2nd EFLI University Flag Football tournament sponsored by the South Asia Gateway Terminal as its platinum sponsor is to be held this weekend.

In addition , another much looked forward to event, the tackling tournament, will be worked off as a triangular tournament with the teams being reinforced with the inclusion of 3 American Embassy staff for each team. 

Game dates will be December 6 (Colombo vs Jaffna), Dec 9 (Jaffna vs Rajarata), and December 11 (Colombo vs. Rajarata). 

All games will be played at the Race Course grounds which were selected to showcase the event to the Public giving additional millage to the sponsors.

Dilroy Fernando, the Director of EFLI and the livewire behind introducing the sport to Sri Lanka said that he was excited and encouraged by the developments taking place with regards to the sport in Sri Lanka and the interest shown by spectators in the game and stated that he saw a great future for the sport in Sri Lanka.