Four-Nation Football Tournament kicks-off in Colombo today

Sri Lanka national coach Ameer Alagic and captain Sujan Perera at the press conference held yesterday at the Galadari Hotel

By Susil Premalal

The Four-Nation Invitational International Football Tournament played for the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa Trophy, conducted by the Ministry of Sports and Football Sri Lanka (FSL), will commence today at the Racecourse Grounds in Reid Avenue, Colombo.

Today’s opening ceremony is to be graced by Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the President of the Maldives along with Namal Rajapaksa, the Minister of Sports. 

The tournament will be conducted on a round-robin basis and the first-round matches will be played on November 8, 11 and 14 with the final scheduled for November 19 at 8 pm. The Maldives with a FIFA Ranking of 156 along with Bangladesh (187), Seychelles (199) and Sri Lanka (204) will participate in this tournament.

The final will be held under the patronage of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and  FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Initially, the final was fixed for November 17 but was put off by two days for the convenience of Prime Minister Rajapaksa and Infantino, FSL President Umar Jaswar said yesterday. In fact, this will be the first time that the Prime Minister and FIFA President are set to attend a football final in Sri Lanka. 

During the preliminary round, the first match will commence at 4 pm and the second game will get underway at 9 pm.

Bangladesh will meet Seychelles in the opener while Sri Lanka will face 2018 SAFF champions Maldives.
Jaswar further said that a large number of football fans from the Maldives are set to arrive in Colombo today to witness the clash between Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the tournament will be open for all spectators.  
The champions will receive a cash award of USD 30,000 and FSL intends to conduct this tournament annually.