Four Dialog football matches today

Dialog League Football: The 2014 Dialog League Football Tournament conducted by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka will get a touch of exoticism with the participation of some foreign players at the discretion of the participating clubs.

The tournament is in progress and will go till mid November.

Twenty one teams will vie for honours in 210 matches in various venues in the country. Dialog will sponsor the event for the tenth consecutive year with the aim of uplifting the standard of football in the country.

A notable absentee in this year's tournament is Ratnam Sports Club who have sought permission to skip this year's championship sighting financial difficulties. However, FFSL has granted permission for the players of Ratnam SC to represent any other club that is taking part in the tournament.

The winner of the tournament will receive a sum of Rs. 750,000 , the runners-up Rs.500,000, the third and fourth places will be awarded Rs.150,000 and Rs.100,000 respectively.

At a press briefing held at the Golden Pond of the Hotel Taj Samudra in connection with the launch of the event, the President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka Ranjith Rodrigo said that the tournament is getting better and better every year and the need of a professional approach is essential for football to reach higher standards.

He went on to say that even countries like Maldives and Bangladesh play professional football.

Four matches will be worked off today (Sunday) at different venues.

Colombo F.C. will meet Nandamithra S.C. at City League grounds, Slave Island.

Saunders will take on Renown SC at Kelaniya FC grounds.

Army vs Navy at Navy grounds, Welisara.

Air Force vs Pelicans at the 'Beddegana Football Complex'.

(RA)