The first-ever District League Championship organised by the Hambantota Football League will commence on Sunday in Hambantota. This Championship organised by the Hambantota District Sports Development Foundation will be participated by five teams from the district, Foundation Secretary Dr. Chanaka Wijetunga said. He was addressing a media briefing at the Sports Ministry’s Duncan White Auditorium, yesterday.
The participating teams are Tangalle Tangolians, Beliatta Football Club, Ambalantota Football Club, Hambantota White Tigers, and Kirinda Young Star Sports Club. The matches will be played at three venues; the Tangalle Mahinda Rajapaksa ground, Beliatta D.A. Rajapaksa ground, and the Hambantota Municipality ground, with the first game scheduled to be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa grounds tomorrow after the opening ceremony scheduled for 2.00 p.m. The final of the League Championship is to be played under lights on February 28 at Tangalle.
The winning team and the runner-up team will receive trophies, while the Best player of every game will receive awards as well. The Best Player of the final, Best Goalkeeper, Highest Goal Scorer, Man of the Final, and Best Goalkeeper will also receive special awards; they will receive cash awards in addition to trophies.
Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, addressing the media, said he is happy to see a tournament of this nature beginning from Hambantota, and that it will be an example to other districts to start League Tournaments of this nature as well.
“This sort of League Championships can spread to other sports such as Netball, Volleyball, ‘Kabaddi’, Beach Volleyball, and other sports. The system will be of immense importance for rural sports stars to get into the sports arena and show their standards, which could be analysed by governing bodies of sports to find new talent.
It will pave the way for sports-loving youth from all districts to raise their talents to higher levels,” the minister said.
“The ministry is ready to support all sports associations to start League Championships of this nature. If this is done in a proper manner, it will be of great service to make a healthy society, which is the most needed at this time. It will also help the younger generation to get involved in sports and bring honour to their schools and districts,” he added.
Be the first to comment