The 2018 Under 14 Interschool Football Championship sponsored by Samaposha was held recently for the 10th consecutive year with over 12,000 eager participants from 500 Boys Schools and 150 Girls schools across the length and breadth of the country competing to grasp the coveted trophy. 33 boys’ teams and 25 girl’s teams who scored high at District Level, participated in the qualifying matches held from 5th to 8th February at 4 different locations in Colombo with the final round held at the Race Course International Grounds.
Bandiwewa Maha Vidyalaya in Polonnaruwa scored 10-9 to emerge the victorious Girls Champions after a close tussle with Parakramabahu Vidyalaya, Polgahawela while Maliyadeva Girls School came third. The Best Player from the Girls Teams was M.L. Senulmi Himasha from Polonnaruwa Bandiwewa Maha Vidayalaya while the Best Goal Keeper from the Girls Teams was A.P. Erandika Harshani from the same school.
The nail-biting fight for the Boys Championship was between Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya in Kalutara and St. Henry’s College in Jaffna with the Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya scoring 2-0 to secure a spectacular win. Kinniya Al Abdul Majid College won the third place. The Best Player from the Boys teams was M.F.M. Farahaz from Kalutara Muslim Madya Maha Vidyalaya while M.N. Ahamed from the same school became the Best Goal Keeper.
This year’s championship achieved several notable milestones. One was that Maliyadewa Balika in Kurunegala came into the finals for the seventh consecutive time in the history of Samaposha School Football Championship.
Shammi Karunaratne, Director/CEO of Plenty Foods commented “Samaposha is a brand dedicated to the importance of a healthy breakfast for the nation’s children to ensure health and fitness and take pride in encouraging the nation’s youths to achieve excellence in sports and enjoy an active lifestyle. We are delighted to sponsor the under 14 interschool Football Championship for the tenth successive year and are pleased to congratulate this year’s champions and celebrate a decade of the championship that has brought together eager participants from all over Sri Lanka.”
Hemantha Abeykoon, Assistant Director in charge of Physical Education and Sports in the North Central Province, commented “Samaposha and CBL have been sponsoring the Championship throughout the past decade and we sincerely appreciate the vital role CBL plays and the tremendous contribution they make as a committed and dedicated sponsor. They have contributed to uplifting sports in Sri Lanka and encouraging and inspiring the nation’s children to take to sports as an important tool in building a healthy nation.”
Sunil Jayaweera, Special Consultant in the Sports Ministry, was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony while Senior Managers at CBL Plenty Foods who were present as the sponsor included Shammi Karunaratne – Director/CEO, CBL Plenty Foods; Jayanga Perera – General Manager Marketing, CBL Food Cluster; V.P. Govinna, Brand Manager, CBL Plenty Foods, Prasad De Alwis Assistant General Manager Sales, CBL Food Cluster, and Sisira Gunewardene, Activation and Promotions Manager, CBL Food Cluster.
Among the officials who graced the occasion were Anura De Silva, President of the Football Federation, Sri Lanka; Athula Wijewardene, Associate Director in charge of Physical Education and Sports and N.S.B Disanayake Additional Secretary, School Services, Ministry of Education.
Samaposha takes pride in promoting sports activities that benefit the nation’s young children and is a much loved and appreciated nutritious breakfast cereal that promotes health and fitness.