PCR tests to be conducted for all teams before Lanka Super League

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has instructed the doctors of the Institute of Sports Medicine (ISM) which comes under his ministry to conduct PCR test for players, coaches and officials off all ten teams participating in the Lanka Super League (LSL) a few days before the event.

In addition before the start of each match all the players will have to undergo Rapid Antigen tests, according to Jaswar Umar, secretary of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL).

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s first ever professional football league will begin with a pre-season tournament from February 17 to March 8 at Sugathadasa Stadium, it was decided at a zoom meeting that FFSL officials had with the Sports Minister.

The official launch of the tournament, which will also comprise foreign players, will take place on February 2 in Colombo. Earlier it was decided to launch the event on January 26. The Lanka Super League will take place from April 18 to July 31. The ten teams will be drawn into two group for the pre-season tournament allowing each teams to play four matches apiece. Held under the patronage of FIFA, AFC, FFSL and the Sports Ministry, the champions of the Lanka Super League will receive Rs. 5 million, the runners-up Rs. 3.5 million in addition to participating fees for each team. In addition the FFSL has given Rs. 2 million for each team for their expenses before the commencement of the tournament The participating teams in the Lanka Super League are Sea Hawks SC, Blue Eagles SC, Colombo FC, Renown SC, Rathnam SC, Red Star SC, Blue star SC, Up Country Lions SC, New Youngs FC and Defenders FC.