Dialog sponsors football's future today

African flavour in Champions League:

YASARATNE GAMAGE

The 8th version of the Dialog Soccer Champions League (DCL ) 2013 will kick off on May 4 with Ratnam SC battlling it out with Saunders SC at City Football Comples, Slave Island. The championship this year will be history with 20 teams participating - an increase of eight teams than last year.

The FFSL president Ranjith Rodrigo receiving the sponsorhsip from Pradeep Keerthirante, vice president National Sales, Dialog Axiata PLC at the Dialog Future World auditorium on Monday. Picture by Samantha Weerasiri

Sponsored by sports promoters,Dialog , the DCL2013 will see 500 players in action in 187 matches played on a home and away basis throughout the island. As per Football Federation of Sri Lanka ( FFSL ) goals, this year mathces will be played at outstations apart from the traditional venues making it easy for fans to witness professional football. On the other hand it is a motivation for the young lads to take to the sport and also helping t football to the sport to the rural areas.

This was revealed at a press conference, chaired by the FFSL president Ranjith Rodrigo and held at the Dialog Future World auditorium. Addressing the gathering Rodrigo said that the tournament will give an opportunity for more players this year as the number of teams have increased from 12 to 20. He also said that matches played at outstation venues will be a motivation for the rural youth to engage in football and also a it wil be a rare opportunity for fans to witness foreign players in action.

The FFSL president also emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of playing conditions and also requested the team officials and players to abide by the rules of disipline throughout the tournament. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against those who violate tournament rules and also unnessarily interfere with referee decisions.

With the inclusion of Solid SC ( Anuradhapura), Pelicans SC ( Kurunegala ) , City SC ( Matara ) , Up Country Lions ( Nawalapitiya ) , Super Sun ( Beruwala ) it will add excitment in these regions as several matches will be plyed on their home grounds in addition to the traditional venues of Kalutara, Wennappuwa, Negambo, Kelaniya and Colombo attracting thousands of soccer fans to watch the keen competition and champion brand of football on show.

Dialog has been the FFSL partner for the past eight years , strengthening the bond with the football public more and more. This year most of the teams are fielding African players which will surely add colour and muscle with thier skills and style which will delight the fans no end.

The competitiveness among the DCL clubs are so high this year that even the new comers from Kurunegala Pelicans SC have bought in Moroccan Coach to adopt the Spanish style of football which will sure be a challenge to the veteran teams. Players from Nigeria, Cameroon Ghana and Morocco will combine with the local talent will see qualitiy football on many grounds.

The DCL 2013 wil also serve as a channel for our best players to vie for selection to the national pool as the new Brazilian coaches wil be on a talent hunt to strengthen our national squad for the year and SAFF tournament.

The first round consist of 18 stages for group A and group B will see 180 matches played on a league foramat whereas the quater-final round will continue on Knock out basis with the final to be played on September 14.

Teams participating.

Saunders SC, Ratnams SC, Java Lane SC, Renown SC, Colombo FC , Solid SC ( Anuradhapura ), Pelicans ( Kurunegala ), Up Country Lions ( Nawalapititya ), Super Sun ( Beruwala ), Matara City SC ( Matara ), Blue Star SC and Park SC ( Kalutara ), Negambo Youth SC and Don Bosco SC ( Negambo ) and New Youngs ( Wennappuwa ) and the services teams, Sri Lanka Army, Navy, Air Force, Police and Civil Security Department.