SUBROTO Cup Tourney in India
N.U. Abdul Razzak Udayar
COLOMBO : The Sri Lankan Under 17 School National Footballers who are in New Delhi, India for the SUBROTO Cup International Tournament -2024 have displayed their superiority and talent by winning all their 5 matches thus getting themselves qualified for the grand stages of the semi- finals of the SUBROTO Cup International Tournament. Sri Lanan junior national team led by Raasid Asif of Wesley College Colombo left for India on 1st September 2024.These junior footballers have clearly proved the fact that where there is a will there is a way to success.
It is interesting to look at the performance of our junior outstanding soccer players. Incredibly, the Lankan junior footballers who were systematically absorbed to the junior national squad through the highly competitive inter provincial tournament representing all parts of Sri Lanka have displayed their superiority in all the 5 matches that they have played so far in New Delhi. It is interesting to look at their road to success for the semi- finals of the 63rd edition of the Surbroto Cup International Tournament where 3 foreign countries, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal clash with the highly talented foot clubs of local schools in India. There are over 40 teams that are vying for this prestigious cup. Sri Lanka enjoyed its success on its first encounter by defeating the state team of Assam by 2-1. Then it met the under 17 of Uttarakhand Region and achieved victory by 1-0. Our boys won their 3rd encounter by 3-0 which was against Saink School of New-Delhi. In the next fixture ISSO of India was defeated by 1-0 by the Lankan Lads. Then the quarter final that was played on Friday 7th September 2024 was a memorable one for Sri Lanka as it crushed the team of Mizoram Region by 2-0. In the other quarter finals Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Manipur Regions registered victories over CISCE, Haryana and CBSE respectively. On 9th September 2024, in the first semi-final Sri Lanka will encounter Manipur while Arunachal Predesh will lock horns with Meghalaya.
According to Mr. F.M. Rikas, father of the Vice- Captain of the squad, Aqmar Yousuff Ricaz it is the first time that a junior national soccer squad of Sri Lanka has brilliantly reached the semi-final in an international tournament such as the Subroto Cup. Our national players of Under 17 deserves a big pat for this feat.
The Lankan Junior national football squad that are in action India comprises the following players.
Captain- Raashid Asif, (Wesly College) Vice Captains-Aqmar Yousuff Ricaz (Royal College) and Mohamed Amaan (Wesley College), other members-M.R.Mohamed, Mohamed Rehan, Mohamed Yasir, Kiturshan, Ayodh Silva, Hunaid, Manas, Hadhim, Dawaragan, Harvin Deshitha Silva, Yusuf, Abdul Malik, Soono, Bandara, Aakif, Sahas Botheju. The team was accompanied by Head Coach Mr. A .K.M .Ajwad and the Manager Mr. E. U. Millangoda
