Holcim FA Cup final for the first time in Nawalapitiya

Hafiz MARIKAR

The most popular sport in the World is undoudably football which is also considered the most beautiful and popular game in the world. In Sri Lanka, football is played in many categories islandwide and is very popular. The Holcim FA Cup final between Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Navy will be played for the first time in Nawalapitya on August 18- Saturday and will turn out to be a super game played at the highest levels.

This final is scheduled to be kicked off at the newly developed "Jayatialake Sports Complex". Sports Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage who has been the architect of all the development activities and promotion of all sports in the Nawalapitiya district will be the chief guest and Holicim's CEO Stefan Huber will be the guest of honor.

This FA cup is the most looked forward football competition in the country, which tournament was

first played in 1987 and the first winners of this tournament were Saunders SC with Jupiter's SC Negombo runner up.

In the inaugural year 96 teams took part and there after every year over 100 teams were seen in action. This time over 139 teams were in action and the two forces teams with the cream of players have entered the finals.

The first forces team to enter the FA cup final was Sri Lanka Air Force in 1989/90, and they went down to Renown SC. That year 194 teams took part in the tournament. In the history of FA cup, and the records reveal that Saunders SC have won on many a occasions.

This FA cup final will be the 22nd in the series.

The happiest man on this day should be the Minster of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage who is genuinely interested in promoting this popular game. The Football Federation of Sri Lanka is a sporting body which is run smoothly and is an example to other national sports bodies. If the sporting Minister can partner Manilal Fernando who has done somuch for the game, player and the administration, and dribble for the game, the game could score many goals.

This year the Asian Football Confederations, under 16 girls competition will be held at Nawalapitya at the same venue from November 4 to 12.

According to Manilal, it was in Kandy that the first FA cup final was played out of Colombo. That was in 1999 / 2000 tournament, where Saunders SC met their arch-rivals Ratnam SC. In a close well contested game, the latter for the first time became the champions.

Fernando says football crazy fans in Nawalapitya should enjoy a good game of football, and that the better team coming out winners. According to the CEO of the Federation Chrysantha Perera, both teams are equally balanced and a good game of football should be on display and says that Nawalapitya football fans will be the most happiest to see the FA cup final being played in their town for the first time.

So, on Saturday it is going to be a memorable day for Nawalapitiya, where the defending champions Sri Lanka Army with a top side, would be hoping for the double.

Sailores won the FA Cup in 2010. For the two teams, to do well, possession will play a vital role in the final outcome. In forward play it should go either way, while in attack d defence the Solders have the fire power.

The Army team is packed with players such as A.G.K.S Buddhika Bandara, D.G. Hatshana Viduranga, R.N.A. Bandara Waragoda, P.N. Pushpakumara, D.G.D.J Bandaraosda, Sanak Danushka Wijasiri the leader of the side, P.T .R.D. Sudarshana Gunasinghe, M.N.M. Issadeen, Nadsushan de Silva, Y .Lakshitha Jayatunga.

The Sri Navy final eleven will be chosen from - K.N.C Fernando, P.R.T. Nandasiri, H.P. Charle, C. Chrysantha, A.A.N. Roshan, A.J.S; Silva, H.W. Aith Kumara skipper, N.H.D.P.K. Perera, E.A C Sanjeewa, R.M.J H. D Rathnayake, P.D. M. Migara,