Inaugural Lanka Football Cup from May 4

Lanka Sports Group President Saif Yusoof (centre) stressing a point to the media

By Susil Premalal

The inaugural Lanka Football Cup Tournament 2024, conducted by Lanka Sports Group and approved by Football Sri Lanka (FSL), will commence on May 4 at the City League Football Grounds in Colombo.
The tournament is conducted with the intention of developing the sport in the country at the provincial and national levels and to identify new talented players who would represent Sri Lanka. 
This is also the first major tournament conducted in Sri Lanka by a private institution dedicated to sports events.
Eight provincial football teams will participate in the tournament, and the championship will include quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final.
The champions will receive LKR 1 million, and the runners-up will receive LKR 500,000, Lanka Sports Group President and FSL Executive Committee Member Saif Yusoof said during a media briefing in Colombo.
The participating teams are Colombo FC, Jaffna FC, Kalutara FC, Central FC, Eastern FC, Negombo FC, Galle FC, and Kandy FC.
The quarter-final line-up will be Kalutara FC vs. Jaffna FC on May 4, Negombo FC vs. Kandy FC on May 5, Eastern FC vs. Colombo FC on May 6, and Central FC vs. Galle FC on May 7.
The final of the tournament will be played on May 18 or May 25.