President Cup 2020 to end football’s long lay off

Football Federation of Sri Lanka is organising the ‘FFSL President Cup 2020’ in a bid to re-group stakeholders and recommence football action after a long lay off. Top level clubs have not been involved in action for nearly one and half years.

Although lower division competitions and the FA Cup were played, a tournament involving top level clubs had not been competed since mid April 2019. The Easter Sunday bomb attacks, torrential rain in the latter part of 2019 and the covid 19 pandemic since March 2020 are blamed for the long lay off.

“To bring back football atmosphere and to promote football entertainment, FFSL decided to organize an invitational pre-season tournament under the title of ‘FFSL President’s Cup 2020’ and as a platform to scout new talent for national teams,” a FFSL statement said.

The teams for the tournament had been invited based on the points table of the last top tournament.

“The top 24 teams in the country based on last available points table, were invited to take part in this competition. A meeting was summoned on June 30 and representatives from 20 teams were in attendance for this crucial meeting, and it was consented by all teams and officials that those who were present for the meeting to be considered for the event,” the statement further states.

The FFSL is offering financial support to all teams to cover their preparation, participation and traveling costs to reach Colombo for matches.

The matches will be played at the Sugathadasa Stadium and the Race Course International Stadium. All matches will be played without fans adhering to the prevailing health guidelines and regulations.

Instead the FFSL has arranged to live stream selected matches through official YouTube Channel –”Sri Lanka Football TV”.

Teams participating in the tournament are Defenders FC (SL Army FL), Colombo FC (City FL), Blue Star SC (Kalutara FL), Sea Hawks FC (SL Navy FL), Renown SC (City FL), Ratnam SC (Colombo FL), Up Country Lions SC (Nawalapitiya FL), Blue Eagles SC (SL Air Force FL), Red Stars FC (Beruwela FL), New Youngs FC (Wennappuwa FL), Matara City Club (Matara FL), Java Lane SC (City FL), Saunders SC (City FL), SL Police SC (SL Police FL), Serendib SC (Mawanella FL), Crystal Palace FC (Gampola FL), Super Sun SC (Beruwela FL), New Star SC (Colombo FL), SLTB SC (NSSA) and Moragasmulla SC (City FL).