Joe-Pete annual soccer encounters today

The 22nd Joe-Pete annual soccer encounter for the Stanley De Silva Challenge Trophy will be played today at the CR & FC ground at 4.30 pm. As in the previous years the Under 13 match for E. Rienzie Joseph Challenge Trophy (old boy of St Joseph's College) presented by Mrs Molly Joseph & Under 15 match for Balendra Anthony Challenge Trophy (Chairman, St Joseph's College Soccer Advisory Committee and old boy of St Joseph's College) will be played at 2.00 pm and 2.45 pm respectively.

The annual soccer encounter is hosted by St Joseph's College and sponsored by Spice Phone. The Soccer Advisory Committee under the chairmanship of Balendra Anthony is making all arrangements to make this event a success.

The first Joe-Pete encounter was played in 1989 at the Sugathadasa Stadium and the Joes won by 1-0. The Joes were captained by Sudath Karunatilake and the Petes by Dinesh Perera. The Chief Guest for this event was SSP Nalin Delgoda a distinguished old boy of St Joseph's College. It is also to mention that the present Rectors of both colleges were the Prefect of games for the 1st encounter which was played in 1989. The two teams will be presented with 26 medals each and the Best player of Joes and Petes and the Man of Match will be rewarded.

Before the Joe-Pete encounter the much fancied Old Joes-Old Petes 2nd soccer encounter which is revived after a lapse of almost 9 years with the support of the Soccer Advisory Committee of St Joseph's College and the Old Petes, will be played at 3.30 pm, for Rev Fr Joe Wickramasinghe Challenge Trophy. The two teams will be presented with 22 medals each and awards will be presented to the best player of Old Joes and Old Petes and the Man of the Match.

This year the Joes will be led by Kewin Fernando and the Petes by Nadeera Weerakoon. The Old Joes will be playing under the captainship of Jerome Ambrose and the Old Petes will be led by Isuru Perera. Both Old Joes and Old Petes are represented by talented and experienced players who have don their jerseys for the Nation. Token of appreciation will be presented to T Desmond Joseph of Old Joes (General Secretary, St Joseph's College Soccer Advisory Committee) and Rev Fr Lakmin Prasanga Silva (Sports Co-ordinator, St Peters College).

The adjudicators for the Joe-Pete and Old Joes - Old Petes will be Anura de Silva (Deputy CEO - FFSL and R M U Mahindapala (Director Youth Development - FFSL). Both have represented the national team.