Samaposha, the leading cereal brand of Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of Ceylon Biscuits limited (CBL) will be sponsoring ‘Samaposha Under 15 Inter-school Football Championship 2014’ for the sixth consecutive year in association with the Sri Lanka Football Federation and the Schools’ Football Association.
“With the aim of advocating and promoting fitness through nutrition among our future generation, Samaposha is pleased to sponsor the under 15 inter school football championship for the sixth consecutive year. We look forward to contributing to many more football tournaments in the coming years as a part of our efforts to perk up nutrition standards among school children” noted Shammi Karunaratne, Director and CEO of Plenty Foods (Pvt) Ltd.
300 boys’ teams and 100 girls’ teams, over 8000 students, representing 400 schools from all parts of the island will compete this year. The preliminary rounds will be played at 30 centers island-wide, covering all districts. The grand finale, which will feature the top 32 boys’ teams and 24 girls’ teams, which will be held on the 7th to 10th November at Kalutara. The finals will also see awards being presented to the best goalkeeper and most valuable male and female player of the tournament.
Maristela College, Negombo emerged champions in the boys category while Maliyadeva Vidyalaya was placed first in the girls category at the inter school tournament last year.
Commenting on its association with the event, Theja Peiris, General Manager Marketing of Ceylon Biscuits Limited said, “Football is the most popular sport around the world. It is all about hard work, commitment, perseverance and endurance. All this requires a well-balanced nutritional intake, which Samaposha is able to provide. Milk, eggs, meat and fish are foods which contain the necessary proteins, carbohydrates and vitamins; however Samaposha the nutritious cereal brand contains all these essential nutrients. Hence it serves as a convenient and healthy snack for all athletes.
Speaking on the event details, Mr. Ranjith Rodrigo, President of Football Federation of Sri Lanka mentioned, “The under 15 inter-school tournament, is a friendly, yet competitive event organized to identify budding football stars. This tournament gives us the opportunity to support young enthusiastic athletes to compete at their highest potential. We are grateful to Plenty Foods team, for supporting and giving thousands of school children around the island the opportunity to exhibit their talents.”
Mr. Rodrigo was also critical about the schools’ football association when it came to organizing and conducting tournaments saying that the schools association does it for the sake of doing it without any plan. He also stressed that the schools Association should be more flexible and join hands with the FFSL, which has more resources, man power and reach in organizing such tournaments in a successful manner.
