Kit Premier League Soccer C'ships begins tomorrow
 

by Bernard Perera

The Kit Premier League Soccer Championship 2005 is to commence on August 4, at the Sugathadasa Stadium. The launch of this championship is scheduled to be held soon after the first game of the tournament between Ratnam SC the last year's runner up and the fourth placed Blue Star SC from Kalutara. The kick off of this game is 4 p.m.

The Kit Premier League Championship sponsored by MTN Networks (Pvt.) Limited for the third successive year has competition between eighteen teams. An addition of two teams, the winners and runners up of Division I Red Sun SC, Gampola and Super Beach SC Kalutara. These details were disclosed by Chryshantha Perera, Chief Executive Officer Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

He further said this year's tournament has been divided into two segments A and B. This was done with the purpose of making the tournament more competitive, the earlier practice to eliminate the two teams which lies at the bottom of the points table making way for the two top teams of Division I was abolished.

This he said will give an equal opportunity for all teams in the Premier League to continue, he said. Though the segments are made, both segments play according to the earlier system home and away basis. CEO said. The top two teams from each segment qualifies for the champion of Champions Trophy at completion of the Kit Premier League.

The segment A comprises ten teams while the segment B consists of eight teams. The three outstation clubs in segment A are Blue Star SC, Kalutara and two Negombo teams Jupiters SC and Negombo Youth SC.

MTN Networks (Pvt.) Ltd.'s Chief Executive Officer Dr. Hans Wijesooriya will be the Chief Guest at the Kit Premier League Championships which is due to take place on August 4 at Sugathadasa Stadium soon after the opening game. This years launch is expected to be a colourful ceremony with all participating teams attending a march past and a drill display will add more colour.

The launch will be followed by the second match of the tournament between the reigning champs Sounders SC and Negombo Youth SC under lights.

The segment A winner are to receive a cash award of Rs. 500,000 in addition to the Trophy while the runners-up in this segment is entitled to collect Rs. 300,000. According to CEO the segment B winners are to collect a purse worth Rs. 300,000 and the runners-up Rs. 250,000.

The participating teams

Segment A - Blue Stars SC, Army SC, Java Lane SC, Air Force SC, Jupiters SC, Saunders SC, Negombo Youth SC, Renown SC, Police SC, Ratnam SC.

Segment B - Kandy York SC, Victory SC, Matara SC, Super Beach SC, New Youngs SC, SL Navy SC, Old Bens SC and Red Sun SC. Chryshantha Perera further said that in previous years clubs were awarded with cash donations which has been done away with from this year.

To compensate for this loss the Federation along with the sponsor have made arrangements to twenty balls and playing Kits for all participating clubs. Now the participating clubs will have to find finances only for their travelling purposes, he said. The Football Federation also has decided to use the "Adidas Starglider" as the official ball for the Kit Premier League matches. FFSL categorically points out that only balls supplied by them should be used as this would ease many problems.

Juniors for India and Pakistan

The CEO, FFSL also stated that the Football Federation is making arrangements to send a under 17 national team to participate at the Asian Championships to be held in India in the month of November. The under 19 national team is to leave for Bangladesh for the Asian Championship in this age category. He said the Federation is to field a u-23 team for the forthcoming South Asian Games to be held in Sri Lanka next April.

SAF Soccer Championship in Pakistan

Pakistan is to host the South Asian Federation Soccer Championships. Sri Lanka will send the National team for the championship which is scheduled for December 2005. This tourney is to take place in Karachchi.

Canadian champs here

Perera said that Canada's Country Soccer Champions Fraser Valley Soccer Club will be touring Sri Lanka to play two friendly matches and a competitive match. They are expected to arrive in the island on Aug. 4.

He said Java Lane Sports Club from Slave Island the winners of the champions of Champions trophy were awarded the opportunity to play against the touring team. The match has been fixed for Saturday Aug. 6. The kick off will be at 4.30 p.m. at City League ground.

Fraser Valley SC will travel to Galle and Matara to play the friendly games against teams from these districts.