AFC President’s Cup 2008

Football extravaganza from April 23

Mariks from Kandy
The stage is set for the Asian Football Federation President’s Cup 2008 (Qualifying Round) which will be hosted by Sri Lanka’s Ratnam Sports Club on behalf of the Sri Lanka Football Federation where Asia’s top four teams are ready to turn on the magic from April 23 to 27 at the Sugathadasa Stadium.

The President of the Sri Lanka Football Federation and head of Ratnam SC Hurley Silvera, says all systems are in place for this fantastic event which will see 44 top footballers in action.

“We are certainly in for a memorable three days of football,” said the coordinator of the tournament Desmond Fernando.

This is the first time a football tournament of this nature is organised in Sri Lanka and a big hand should go to the kingpin of local football Manilal Fernando and also Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge who has been giving his fullest support to organise this tournament in Sri Lanka.

The teams from Turkmenistan, Myanmar and Bhutan will arrive by April 20 and they will stay at Pegasus Reef Hotel according to M Rameez and Hassan Sinhawansa jnr who are giving a big hand to make this tournament a success.

Sri Lanka Football Federation, Holcim Lanka, Dialog and Unique Apparels Trading Co are the title sponsors.

April 23 will feature a spectacular curtain-raiser with the opening match between Turkmenistan (Ashgabat FC) and Myanmar (Kanbawza FC) scheduled to kickoff at 4 pm at where R. Puvanendran, president of City Football League will be the chief guest.

The second game will be at 6.30 pm under lights between Sri Lanka (Ratnam SC) and Bhutan (Transport United FC) where DIG Range 4 NK Illangakoon will be the chief guest.

On the second day (April 25) Bhutan (Transports United FC) will play Turkmenistan (Ashgabat FC) at 4 pm under the patronage of Colombo DIG

Nimal Mediwake. The second game of the day will be played under the patronage of Ambassador of Myanmar Tin Ool Win at 6.30 pm between Myanmar (Kanbawza FC) and Sri Lanka (Ratnam SC).

On April 27 the chief guest will be Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge with Chevan Daniel, CEO of News First/Sports First MTV/MBC Colombo as the guest of honour. On this day there will be only one game between Sri Lanka’s (Ratnam SC) and Turkmensitan (Ashgabat FC).

The tournament is being organised on a carnival atmosphere and the organising committee headed by Hurley Silvera is going all out to make this tournament the best. There will be souvenir sports shirts for sale at the venue. Tickets are priced at a nominal rate of Rs. 200 (pavilion) and Rs. 20 (tiers).