The football encounters of the 49th National Sports Festival, which was organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports with the collaboration of the Department of Sports Development, concluded successfully in Matara recently. After a thrilling tournament, the Western Province women’s and Northern Province men’s outfits managed to defend their gold medals.
Men’s Tournament : The men’s football tournament was held at the Kotavila Sports Complex, Matara. In the semifinals, the Northern lads edged out the title contenders, the Western side, with a score of 3 – 2, while Sabaragamuwa easily defeated the hometown lads, Southern Province, with a score of 3 – 0.
- Waymba ladies edged out Central Province at the netball finals.
- Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces Triumph in volleyball
There were some exhilarating actions in the heated final, and the score was tied at 1 all at the full-time whistle. In the penalty shoot-out the clinical Northern lads clinched the victory with a 3 – 0 result. This marked the 4th consecutive time that the Northern lads clinched the title by displaying a pure dominance in the tournament. Further, the Western Province thrashed the hosts to secure the bronze medal with a 3 – 0 goal margin.
- Round 1 Western Province beat Eastern Province 03 – 02
- Round 2 Northern Province beat North Central Province 05 – 01
- Sabaragamuwa Province beat Central Province 00 – 00 (at the penalty shoot-out 02 – 01)
- Southern Province beat North Western Province 04 – 01
- Western Province beat Uva Province 02 – 00
Semi Finals
- Sabaragamuwa Province beat Southern Province 03 – 00
- Northern Province beat Western Province 03 – 02
Third Place Match
- Western Province beat Southern Province 03 – 00
The Final
- Northern Province beat Sabaragamuwa Province 01 – 01 (at the penalty shoot-out 03 – 00)
- Most Outstanding Male Player – M. Nitharsan of Northern Province
Champion Team (Northern Province)
A Alexsan, S Sinthujan, V Vignesh, T Arthikan, M Johnkujinthan, M Nitharsan A.J Jeron, V Kajanthan, S Jude Supun, S Gnanaruban, N Premakumar, T Kajakopn, M Sujaykrishna, S Jeyaraj, A Dilaxshan, V Geethan, N Johnkesley, P Sujashkan, S Abhishake, Y Amairaj
1st runner up (Sabaragamuwa Province)
M.N.M Shifan, Y.M.L Jayathunga, H.D Perusingha K.S.S Dayawansha T.C Udayakeerthi K.M.N Pathirana T.S Priyashan, U.K.C.R Dasanayaka, S.D.S De Silva, K.T.L.P Kumarage, K.D.M.N Deshapriya, L.M Rupasingha, T.M.S.P Sirisoma, A.A.D.S Suranga, K.S.S Jayalath, K.G.S Piumakara, Y.M.D.C Ranawaka, W.S Sudarshana, W.A.H.N Wijesingha, W.A.R.M Rajakaruna
2nd runner up (Western Province)
P.V Manaram Perera, U.H.D. Chamod Dilshan, S.K Sanjuka Madusanka, M.P Romesh Udayashantha, D.S Nalaka Kannangara, M.N.M Rismin, R.V.N Lakshitha, Wijesundaram Yugesh, M.S.M Kurshith, I.M Safran, N.J Nichalas, E.T.N Dikkumbura, M.S.S Perera, A.G. Udara, B.L.S Sandesh Pingho, M.M.S Kumara Fernando, H.D.M De Silva, W.A Nipuna Madushanka
Women’s Tournament: The men’s football tournament was held at the Uyanwatta Football Ground, Matara the strong Western Province lineup managed to clinch their 2nd consecutive gold in the event after displaying a dominating performance. In the semifinals, the Wayamba ladies steamrolled the Sabaragamuwa outfit with six unanswered goals, while Western Province eased past Northern Province with a thumping 3 – 0 victory.
- North Central men and Sabaragamuwa women win NSF 2025, Kabaddi titles
- Western Province Men and Southern Province Women crowned as NSF rugby 7s champions
In the high-stake final, the finalists of the previous edition, Wayamba and Western Provinces, clashed again for supremacy. After a solid performance, the Western lasses defended the title with a 2 – 0 commanding victory. Sri Lanka national women’s player Praveena Perera assisted the first goal and scored the second goal by being the stand-out player in the final.
- Round 1 Northern Province beat Eastern Province 10 – 00
- Round 2 North Western Province beat Southern Province 03 – 01
- Western Province beat Central Province 03 – 01
- Sabaragamuwa Province beat Uva Province 02 – 01
- Northern Province beat North Central Province(W/O)
Semi Finals
- North Western Province beat Sabaragamuwa Province 06 – 00
- Western Province beat Northern Province 03 – 00
Third Place Play Off
- Northern Province.beat Sabaragamuwa Province 09 – 00
Final
- Western Province beat North Western Province 02 – 00
- Most Outstanding Female Player – T.A.D.T.M.M. Siriwardana of Western Province
Champion Team (Western Province)
I.L.E Kumudumala Liyanage, M.A Sanjeewani Perera, K.P Maduki Perera, K.K Kavindhya Tharinduni, T.A.D.T Madushika Siriwardhana, A.A.U Aseka Amarathunga, K.P.A Anuththara Kahatapitiya, R.M.H Niyomoka Rathnayaka, D.H Sachini De Silva, M.D.K Keerthi Viranga, N.D Tharindi Janithya, W.D.I Stephnie Dias, W.A.L.T Ranshari Veliwita, V.A Ranpathumi Perera, L.S Wandana Silva, D.D Thamarika Madumali, R.M.C.K Ekanayake, G Sanduni Sewmini, K.K.M.N Perera, M.K Godawalage
1st runner up (North Western Province)
R.D.L.R Gunawardana, S.G.S.S Subasingha, K.R De Silva, S.A.D.L Sooriyaarachchi, K.A.M.Y Dayarathna, L.P.G Madushani, R.M.P.A Rajapaksha, S.W.P.A.I Anuradhinee, E.M.P.M Ekanayaka, J.A.U.K Jayakodi, W.D.M.S Wijesingha, A.A.H.S Anuradha, T.G.K.S Wijerathna, S.D.S.K Senevirathna, J.M.T Jayakadu, G.D.V Vinodya, T.D.K.N Thenuwara, C.P.I Madushani, R.M.K Bandara, S.M.T.S Singappuli
2nd runner up (Northern Province)
J Layansika, T Sasmi, T Tharaniga, S Hamshiya, V Saalani, Y Uamasankavi, P Anne Thivishna, S Kiyustikka, B Shanu, V Vithurshika, S Tharmika, S Gowry, J Kalsika, S Sajeerthana, J Thuwaraka, S Saranika, K Renuja, J Subangari, A Breethika, S Thamilini,
