Kicking-off for the first time, the tournament will attract 20 schools promoting healthy revelry and competition among School Football teams across the island. Designed with a new format, the Football Federation says the tournament would enhance the Brand of ‘Soccer’ in schools while creating greater impact and exposure through Kotmale Chox Brand association. The tournament will also add colour with the participation of 4 International schools who is also will enjoy playing against best soccer playing national schools.
Cargills (Ceylon) PLC which is the National Partner of Sri Lanka Football has come forward to sponsor this exciting tournament with Kotmale Chox. Commenting on the tie-up, Buddhisha Herath, General Manager Sales & Marketing for Cargills Quality Dairies noted that this association marks a turning point in Sri Lanka Football. “Kotmale Chox is an emerging brand that has shown a lot of vitality within a very short period of time. This association we have established with emerging Football talent is among a number of partnerships we have built with youth and sports. Kotmale through its wide product portfolio of nutritious dairy products is planning to invest in the future of Sri Lankan Youth and where better to start than with the a game that reaches every nook and corner of the Country played by the future national players?” he said.
Meanwhile Thamal De Silva, Brand Manager for Kotmale Brands added that the partnership with the Under-19 School Football Tournament 2014 would help take this popular sport to the next level. “Kotmale Chox, a product that has been developed on a platform of healthy nutrition made from Sri Lankan dairy milk has previously supported Football at grassroots and now at Inter-School level. This support would pave the way to groom emerging talent and we look forward to creating similar opportunities for youth from different sporting disciplines.” he added.
Ranjith Rodrigo, the President of FFSL commenting on the initiative of the format believes that playing on the “home” and “away” basis will attract thousands of students, old boys and parents giving them an opportunity to support their school team at their home venues. “This system would bring back the lost glory and fan base for schools football in the country. The Under 19 is the age group is the gateway to becoming national Stars and it is very vital that we play this tournament with a massive impact though media,”
The tournament will kick off at the Sugathadasa Stadium on the 22nd May 2014 with Zahira College playing their rivals Hameediya Al Husseiniie College.
The 20 schools invited to participate are St.Josephs - St. Peters - St.Thomas - Royal - Ananda - Nalanda - Lumbini - De mazenod - St Marys - Maristella - Joseph Vaz - Holy Cross - Zahira - Al Hussainia - St Benadicts - Hindu College - Overseas Children School - Lyceum - Gateway and Royal Institute
