FFSL President’s Cup 2020 kicks off today

After a lapse of almost six months football will resume action today with the commencement of the Vantage FFSL President's Cup 2020, with objectives of scouting potential players for the national squad, besides bringing back the sport alive.

The 23-day long competition will be the first field sports event to be held in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring 20 elite football teams from the country. The curtain raiser will include two games played at two different venues in Colombo with kick-off set for 3.30pm.

With Blue Star SC Kalutara taking on Moragasmulla SC at Sugathadasa Stadium and Upcountry Lions meeting Java Lane at the Racecourse, the action packed tournament will continue until August 31, with the grand finale.

Following the two afternoon games, two more matches are scheduled to take place under lights with the kick-off set for 6.30pm at both venues. Renown SC will meet New Star SC at the Sugathadasa Stadium while Matara City Club will take on New Youngs FC at the Racecourse.

According to the organisers, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), a budget of Rs 30 million has been allocated for this invitational tournament with the champions guaranteed a prize money of Rs 300,000.

FFSL further revealed that the tournament will be played within closed doors and strict health regulations due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 20 teams have been divided into five groups with each team guaranteed at least three matches during the preliminary rounds.

FFSL aims show selected matches through live stream facility on its official YouTube channel ‘ Sri Lanka Football TV’ as they target to telecast at least 30 matches prior to the knockout stage.

The quarter-finals are scheduled to be worked off on August 23 and 24, the semi-finals will be played on August on 27 and the final on August 31.