Zahira Super 16 Schools Sevens to kick off for the 11th time

The Zahira Super 16 Schools Soccer Sevens will kick off for the 11th consecutive occasion on the 17th of October at the Zahira College grounds in grand style.

Organized by the Past Prefects Association of Zahira College Colombo, the Zahira Super 16 Sevens has evolved to be a premiere tournament in the school football arena and a contest anticipated by many.

Zahira College has been a front-runner in the football arena as a silent contributor in uplifting sport in the country. Over the past few decades, the school in the heart of Maradana has been able to produce many talented players who have ended up donning the national jersey. The recently concluded national championships consolidated their progress in the sport as the Zahira under 19 team footballers ended up winners.

This year’s tournament will be split into three different sub-tournaments; the main 16 tournament, the emerging schools tournament and the celebrity. A new additive in this year’s tournament will be the Emerging Schools Championships allowing the schools that are lesser known in the ball sport to participate. Speaking at the press conference, the tournament chairman pointed out that the primary intention of such a tournament is to uplift the sport within the other factions in the country. A total of 16 schools will participate in the Emerging Schools tournament that will be played tomorrow at the grounds. The winner of the emerging schools title will get the ticket to the main tournament in October.

The main tournament will kick off on the 16th of October at the Zahira College main grounds and this time around, the draw will consist of schools from around the country. There will be
representations from the North, East and the Uva provinces competing alongside the Colombo schools for the title. The organizers have incorporated four title on offer; cup, plate, shield and bowl. In addition to the silverware, the cup champions will walk away with rewards worth of Rs. 50,000/=. The winners of the other titles also will receive cash prizes.

A brand new initiative to the Zahira Super Sevens last year was the celebrity match that was between the cricket stars and the football all stars. This new additive will continue for the second successive occasion with the celebrity football match that is expected to take place on the 24th of October 2015. It was the Mahela Jayawardena led Cricket Stars who emerged victorious against the All Stars and Mahela is tipped to captain this year’s team as well.

Football has seen considerable improvement since the tournament has been active. Speaking at the briefing, President of the Past Prefect’s Association of Zahira College have been helping schools uplift the sport by donating jerseys & balls as a part of their social responsibility.

Pyramid Wilmar Pvt. Ltd will continue their relationship with the Zahira Super Sevens as the Main Sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. Cool Planet will be the event’s Platinum Sponsor and will be the Main Sponsor for the Celebrity game. Northshore College and Banu Manpower will come in as Gold and Silver Sponsors respectively. The Traveller Global will sponsor the Emerging Schools competition and Print House will be the Printing partner. ThePapare.com will be the Online Media Partner for the 11th edition of the Zahira Super Sevens.

This year’s tournament will see the top heavyweights in the football arena such as Royal College, St. Joseph’s College, St. Benedict’s College, De Mazenand College alongside hosting Zahira College.

Draw