The football encounters of the 49th National Sports Festival, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in collaboration with the Department of Sports Development, concluded successfully in Matara recently. After a thrilling tournament, the Western Province women’s team and the Northern Province men’s team 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, Western Province, with a score of 3–2, while Sabaragamuwa easily defeated the hometown lads, Southern Province, 3–0.
- Waymba ladies edged out Central Province at the netball finals.
- Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces Triumph in volleyball
- North Central men and Sabaragamuwa women win NSF 2025, Kabaddi titles
- Western Province Men and Southern Province Women crowned as NSF rugby 7s champions
The heated final produced some exhilarating action, and the score was tied 1–1 at the full-time whistle. In the penalty shoot-out, the clinical Northern lads clinched victory with a 3–0 result. This marked the fourth consecutive time that Northern Province secured the title, displaying pure dominance in the tournament. Meanwhile, Western Province thrashed the hosts to secure the bronze medal with a 3–0 margin.
Match Results
Round 1: Western Province beat Eastern Province 3–2
Round 2: Northern Province beat North Central Province 5–1
Sabaragamuwa Province drew with Central Province 0–0 (Sabaragamuwa won on penalties 2–1)
Southern Province beat North Western Province 4–1
Western Province beat Uva Province 2–0
Semi-Finals
Sabaragamuwa Province beat Southern Province 3–0
Northern Province beat Western Province 3–2
Third Place Playoff
Western Province beat Southern Province 3–0
Final
Northern Province drew with Sabaragamuwa Province 1–1 (Northern won on penalties 3–0)
Most Outstanding Male Player: M. Nitharsan (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 women’s football tournament was held at the Uyanwatta Football Ground, Matara, where the strong Western Province lineup clinched their second consecutive gold medal after a dominant display throughout the event. In the semifinals, the Wayamba ladies steamrolled Sabaragamuwa with six unanswered goals, while Western Province eased past Northern Province with a thumping 3–0 victory.
In the high-stakes final, the finalists of the previous edition, Wayamba and Western Province, clashed once again for supremacy. After a solid performance, the Western lasses defended their title with a commanding 2–0 win. Sri Lanka national women’s player Praveena Perera shone in the final, assisting the first goal and scoring the second, proving to be the standout performer.
Match Results
Round 1: Northern Province beat Eastern Province 10–0
Round 2: North Western Province beat Southern Province 3–1
Western Province beat Central Province 3–1
Sabaragamuwa Province beat Uva Province 2–1
Northern Province beat North Central Province (W/O)
Semi-Finals
North Western Province beat Sabaragamuwa Province 6–0
Western Province beat Northern Province 3–0
Third Place Playoff
Northern Province beat Sabaragamuwa Province 9–0
Final
Western Province beat North Western Province 2–0
Most Outstanding Female Player: T.A.D.T.M.M. Siriwardana (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,
