Twenty schools of all religious and ethnic races in Sri Lanka have been invited to participate at the 7th Schools Invitation Knock-out Soccer Tournament organized by the Group of 80’s of Hameed Al Hussainie to be held at the Sugathadasa Stadium from February 1 to 16.
The tournament is so popular that it is certain to attract a large crowde at the matches. Even the FFSL has in recent times failed to attract such big crowds to the common man’s game.
The main intention to conduct this tournament is to popularise soccer among the children and bring the general public closer to the poor man’s game.
“We hope the tournament will establish brotherhood, fellowship and above all to create understanding and ensure peace among all irrespective of religion, language, race, cast or place, said Zulficar Ahmed who spoke on behalf of Group of 80’s.
The main sponsor of the tournament is The Soho House, a well known textile shop.
Ananda, Henry Olcott M.V., D.S. Senanayaka, Hameed Al Hussainie, Bambalapitiya Hindu, Isipathana, Lumbini, Royal, St. Peter’s, St. Benedict’s, Thurstan, T.B. Jayah M.V. and Wesley are the schools participating from the Colombo.
The other schools invited are, Maris Stella and Al Hilal MV from Negombo, Al Mubarak – Malwana, De Mazenod – Kandana, Zahira – Gampola and Zahira – Mawanella.
The preliminary round, pre-quarters and the quarter-finals will be worked off from February 1 to 4.
The semi-finals will be held on February 8 and the grand final on February 16 at Sugathadasa Stadium.
The champion team will be awarded a Challenge Trophy and the Champions Trophy while the runner-up and the third placed teams will also be rewarded with trophies. All the players of these three teams will receive medals and certificates as well.
There are also special prizes namely the Golden Glove for the best goal keeper of the tournament, Fantastic Foot for the highest goal scorer of the tournament, Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Most Popular Player of the tournament through voting from the website of www.g80hahe.com. This winner will be rewarded with a return air ticket to Malaysia sponsored by New City Enterprises.
Apart from the schools ten clubs will be playing in the Veterans Tournament for the second year running.
Last year’s winners Java Lane Veterans, runner-up Colombo Veterans, Slave Island Veterans, Maligawatte Veterans, Old Cooray Veterans, Old Bens Veterans, Super Star Veterans, Prince Veterans and Aluthkade Veterans will vie for honours in the veterans club tourney.
The champion and the runner-up teams will receive cups, medals and certificates.
