S.Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia pulled out of the Kotmale Chox U19 Schools Football Championship Quarter Final encounter citing ‘no players.’
The Thomians were scheduled to play St.Henry’s College, Ilavalai in the 3rd quarter final; who went onto defeat Zahira College to become Champions. The Thomians pulled out a couple of days before the start of the quarter-finals sending the organizers into disarray.
The Thomians were one of the in-form sides of the tournament who almost upset the star studded St.Peter’s College in the group stage. S.Thomas’ lost that match 2-1 after leading 1-0 against the Peterites who had six Sri Lanka U19 players.
The Thomians, captained by Deshan Gonawela were in prime form winning 6-1 against Dharmaraja College, 3-1 against Maliyadeva College and 5-2 against Lumbini College. Even though they had a game left against St.Benedict’s College, the Thomians were certain of a quarter final place, which was confirmed weeks before giving ample time for the team and administration to prepare.
An official from the Football Federation of Sri Lanka speaking to ThePapare.com mentioned that S.Thomas’ College had participated in the initial meeting when the quarter final draw was made-up and had given the letter of pulling out with a few days remaining for the knockout stage.
The media too received the initial quarter final line-up, which had S.Thomas’ in place, at the end of the January and got the revised schedule on the week of the quarter final.
However it is unclear how the Thomians, who are coached by the legendary former Sri Lanka national player R.M.U.Mahindapala, suddenly lost out on players to represent the ‘School by the Sea’.
Mahindapala is well regarded in the football community for his prowess in moulding potential talent from the younger age groups, where most of the past and current Sri Lanka U19 squad had tutelage under him, including the Thomian midfielder Akhil Fernando.
This unpleasant situation comes at a stage where Thomian Football, after years of mediocrity, was gaining prominence under the leadership of coach Mahindapala, while the said side was one of the best sides to come out of S.Thomas’ in the recent past.
Dharmaraja College who finished third in Group A obliged to the invitation to replace S.Thomas’ in the quarter final showing great sportsmanship. Even without any time to prepare the Rajans played a spirited first half against the fancied St.Henry’s 1-1. However, the lads from Jaffna, ended up winning 4-1.
