Five rising football stars selected in Matara

Priyan DE SILVA Matara Sports Corespondent

Airtel Rising Star, initiated by Airtel, Manchester United in association with Tharunyata Hetak and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has already selected players from Jaffna, Mannar, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Kalmunai and Matara as a part of their scouting for 12 talented players to be sent for a two week training programme with Manchester United in England.

The selections in Matara were conducted at the German Sri Lanka friendship football stadium on Sunday (12th). 300 girls and boys in the age groups between 15 to 20 faced the trials and skills tests conducted by the technical staff of the FFSL namely, Rumy Pakiralli, D Chandrasiri, Thushara Sampath and Chandu Stienwall. The process of selection was guided by R M U Mahindapala Director Youth development of FFSL. D Jayasekera, Charith Brian Weerapulli, Mohamed Afshan all of St Thomas’ College Matara, Brian de Silva of Rahula College Matara and Duleep Madhusanka of Mahinda College Galle were the talented footballers selected in Matara.

[The schedule]

August 16 at Kurunegala
August 18 Kandy
August 20 Hatton
August 22 Badulla
August 25 Negombo

As there are more than 1500 applicants from the Colombo area selections will be held on three days and will be notified later.

The final selections will be held on September 02, 03 and 04 by certified coaches of Manchester United.

The Airtel rising star was coordinated by Mayuran Kuhamoorthi Head of Programme coordination for Airtel and FFSL Media Director Rukmal Perera.