Mahinda Rajapaksa international Soccer from December 3
Yasaratne GAMAGE
The innaugaral Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Tournament
will be held from December 3 to 9 with the pariticipation of four
countries at the Jayathilake Sports Complex , Nawalapitiya .
The official launch and unveiling of the trophy was held under the
patronage of Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage as the chief guest
at the Football House, Torrington yesterday.
The participating teams are Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh and
Pakistan. There will be two matches every other day commencing from
December 3 where Sri Lanka will play against Maldives in the opening
match.
Speaking at the occasion Minister Mahindananda said that the trophy
was named as H E Mahinda Rajapaksa International Football Trophy to
honour the president Mahinda Rajapaksa who has a keen interest and
knowledge in sports and has been the major catalyst for the development
in the sports field.
He also explained how the combination of Sports Ministry and Football
Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) led to initiate a novel programme to
bring the talented rural footballers to form a confident national pool
with the aim of achieving international victories.
The FFSL president and Parliamentarian Sarath Weerasekara speaking at
the occasion thanked Sports Minister for the immense support and
guidance for improve the sport.
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