The Federation Cup International Football Tournament, organized by the Manchester Football Academy in collaboration with the Football Federation of Sri Lanka, will be held next month with the participation of 44 teams from Sri Lanka and overseas.
Speaking at a media briefing at the Ministry of Sports, Manchester Football Academy Chairman Augustine George said the tournament is expected to cost approximately Rs. 10 million. He said one of the main objectives of the competition is to identify emerging young football talent and provide a pathway for promising players to reach the national level.
The media briefing was held under the patronage of Football Federation of Sri Lanka President Jaswar Umar.
The tournament will be held on the 9th, 10th and 11th of next month at the Reid Avenue Racecourse Grounds in Colombo. Teams from India, the Maldives, Seychelles and Malaysia will join teams representing seven provinces of Sri Lanka.
Under-14 and Under-16 Categories
The competition will feature Under-14 and Under-16 age categories and will be conducted in accordance with international football regulations.
The tournament champions will receive a trophy and Rs. 200,000 in prize money, while the runners-up will receive a trophy and Rs. 100,000.
Individual awards will also be presented, including the Golden Boot for the tournament’s top goal scorer. Special awards will be given to players who demonstrate outstanding individual skills and performances throughout the competition.
The Manchester Football Academy has also made arrangements to stage the semi-finals and grand final under floodlights, adding a major feature to the closing stages of the tournament.
Organizers said the competition is intended not only to provide young footballers with international-level competitive experience, but also to help identify players with the potential to represent Sri Lanka in the future.
