Dharmapala wins a football tournament after 30 years!
By Leslie FERNANDO
SOCCER: Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Pannipitiya soccerites won a
major schools soccer title after a lapse of 30 years when they became
champions the under-19, division three tournament conducted by the Sri
Lanka Schools Football Association.
The tournament was played at Bogambara grounds, Kandy.
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Dharmapala Vidyalaya - Champions in soccer - Seated from
left: Asith Dhanushka (Captain), Lalith Dehigahawatta
(Coach), H. D. Ramyasiri Gunasekera (Master in Charge
soccer), N. J. Pathirana (Deputy Principal), K. G.
Wimalasena (Principal), Lt. Colonel S. N. W. S. Bandara
(Sports Administrator), M. L. I. Uditha Kumara (Sports
Coordinator), Buddhika Dias (Assistant Coach), Manoj Prabath
(Vice Captain). Second row standing from left: Sameera
Deepal, Ramitha Silva, Chathura Devinda, Lakshitha Nihara,
Kameel Nanayakkara, Dinidu Thusara, Isuru Sandaruwan,
Navinda Chathuranga. Back row from left: Kasun Hirantha,
Buddhika Chathuranga, Tharindu Dabare, Shashika Bandara,
Lahiru Udaykumara, Tharindu Niroshan, Nipuna Sankalpa,
Indrajith Madushanka, Lalitha Panawala, Nilanka
Priyadarshana. |
Dharmapalians first won a school's title way back in 1978, the
under-16 division two schools title.
The Pannipitiya team were successful in the preliminary round
matches. In the quarter-finals, they defeated Kirillawala Maha Vidyalaya,
Kadawatha by 3 goals to 2. Kamil Nanayakkara, Chathura Devinda and
Thilanka Priyadarshana scored a goal each for Dharmapala.
In the semi-finals, it was a close game with Dharmapala pulling off a
close 1-nil win over Mahanama College, Kandy. Asith Dhanushka scored the
goal.
The final was between Dharmapala and Kinniya Al Aksha Vidyalaya,
Trincomalee. The final interesting exciting. It was a blank score card
in the first half. However, Dharmapala reliable midfielder Isuru
Sandaruwan going on a 'solo' after receiving a regular pass scored the
solitary and winning goal.
With this good win, Dharmapala has now been promoted to division two
tournament from 2009. The team is coached by Playground Instructor
Lalith Dehigahawatta assisted by Buddhika Dias.
Dharmapala goalkeeper Navinda Chathuranga with fine anticipation and
clever goal-keeping, was adjudged the best player of the final. |
