Eight teams dribble for Phoenix Cup

YASARATNE GAMAGE

Eight premier teams will vie for Phoenix Cup 2013 in the City Football League Invitation Knockout Tournamen which will be held from March 19 to May 1 at the City Football Grounds.. The tournament is organized and will be held for the third year and starts with Renown SC meeting Saunders SC on April 19 at 3.30 pm.

This was revealed at a press briefing held at City Football League auditorium on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion competition committee chairman M Premadasa said that the tournament will be held according to the FFSL rules and regulations and hoped for fair play throughout the competition.

Ratnam SC won the inaugural trophy while Renown grabbed the champions trophy in 2011 when they defeated the defending champions Ratnam SC at the same venue.

The tournament for 2012 was delayed due to other premier tournaments which were in progress during the latter part of last year. The quarter-finals will be held from April 19 to 24 while the semi-finals have been scheduled on April 25 and 27 followed by the final on May 1.

The organizers said that champion team will receive Rs 200,000 and Rs 100,000 for the runner up apart from the trophies.

Each team will receive an allowance of Rs 5000 per match. This year the tournament is held with no cost to the participating teams as the sponsor , Phoneix has agreed to meet all financial expenses.

Apart from that there will be a raffle draw on the entrance ticket with expensive furniture and mobile phones as prizers.

Music bands , cheer leaders will make the environment lively for the spectators, the organizers said.