Old Anandians soccer 7’s to promote peace

Bernard PERERA

The seventh annual seven-a-side soccer tournament for schools organised by Old Anandians Football Association will be conducted this year on a new format for Sam Chandrasinghe Challenge Trophy on July 4 and 5 at Reid Avenue Ground Old Anandian FA has decided to join hands with ‘Tharunyata Hetak Foundation with the sole intention of joining North South through sports.

With this new set up the organisers have invited ten schools from North and East to compete in this under 17 tournament Thus expanding the number of teams to 48.

This will also have a new set of awards Sam Chandrasinghe Challenge Trophy, for champions plate and bowl. This will give an opportunity for the losing teams to be in battle for a further period.

The ten teams from North and East comprise two teams each from Ampara Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Jaffna and Vavuniya. These details were disclosed at a press briefing held at Tharuynata Hetak Foundation auditorium yesterday chaired by Vice Admiral Sarath Weerasekera.

Piumi Perera Secretary Tharuyata Hetak Foundation said that it is the opportune time to bring in peace through sports. With this motive the Tharuynata Hetakn a Foundation working towards the betterment of the young generation decided to join hands with the Old Anandians’ Football Association to promote peace through this project.

Sam Chandrasinghe said that he hopes to expand this tournament further by adding more teams next year to develop the sport which needs more attention from the grass roots level. He said that he is prepared to continue his support in the future too.

The tournament will commence at 9.30 with a colourful opening ceremony and will come to a close the following day with the sponsor Sam Chandrasena as the chief guest at 4.30 p.m.

It was also noted that all outstations teams will be provided with accommodation and meals.

Past Winners

2003 Weluwana MV, Colombo, 2004 Lumbini MV Colombo, 2005 St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, 2006 St. Thomas College, Matara, 2007 St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, 2008 Zahira College Colombo.