Futsal Football tourney on January 28 and 29

Anurdha ABEYSEKERA

Group of 80s' of the Hameed Al Husseinie College, Colombo 12 will conduct an Inter School Invitation Futsal Football Tournament at the Sugathadasa Stadium junior ground on January 28 and 29. This was revealed during a press conference at the school main hall yesterday.

As an annual event which has been conducted uninterruptedly for the last four years, the fifth version of the football fiesta has altered to the shorter version of the game due to renovation of Sugathadasa main stadium. Altogether 16 school teams out of invited 19 have been lined up to battle for supremacy in four groups namely A, B, C, and D. A new match format has been introduced where eight main trophies for winners and runners-up in four categories, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze are on offer. Three special awards, Best Player (Golden Boot), Best Goal Keeper (Golden Glove) and Highest Goal Scorer of the tournament will also be awarded.

The event has been greatly supported to popularize the 'common man's sport' among the school arena and has already booked its place in the annual school football calendar. In the previous year the final was played in front of a mammoth crowd where the Sugathadasa main stadium received a 'packed audience' after a long time which was quite unusual for a school event.

Being the first government Muslim boys school in the country which established in 1884, Hameed Al Husseinie College has produced many talented football players who later represented the National team.

Football was introduced to the school in early fifties and after they clinched the prestigious Sir John Tarbet shield in 1957, football became the forte in school's sports.

Speaking at the press briefing, the Media Spokesman of the group of 80s', Fazin Faiz thanked all who supported to make the event a success over the years. 'Print and Electronic Media have been helping us through the event's history and without them and our sponsors we would never have been able to conduct this annual event on a grand note for four consecutive years. We hope that they will give their maximum support this year and years to come', Faiz said.

Education Ministry Sports Education Director Rohana Karunarathne will be the chief guest at the opening ceremony and Dr. Vernon Manil Fernando will be the chief guest at the award ceremony.

School Principal M.J.M. Mansoor, Tournament Committee Chairman Ramzan Ibrahim, Group of 80s' President M.H.M. Iqbal, Group of 80s' Secretary H.A.M. Munowwar were also in the head table.

Participating teams - Al-Hikma college - Colombo, Ananda College -Colombo, D.S. Senanayaka College - Colombo, De Mazenod College - Kandana, Hindu College - Colombo, Holy Cross College - Kalutara, Isipathana College - Colombo, Lumbini College - Colombo, President College - Rajagiriya, Royal College - Colombo, St. Peter's College - Colombo, Thurstan College - Colombo, T.B. Jaya Maha Vidyalaya - Colombo, Wesley College - Colombo, Mary Stella College - Negombo, Hameed Al-Husseinie College - Colombo.