The first ever soccer festival organized by Manchester Soccer Academy will be held at the Race Course Grounds today (Sunday) from 12 noon onwards with the participation of more than 300 children from 6 years to 17 years.
It will be a 7-a-side soccer festival and the matches will be played in five age groups and the time duration is 7-1-7 minutes on a league and then ko basis.
The age groups are from 6 - 9 years, 10 -11 years, 12 -13 years, 14 - 15 years, and 16 - 17 years.
In each age group trophies, medals and certificates will be awarded to the champions, first and second runners-up. In addition to the soccer festival an under 14 invitation tournament amongst 6 schools will be held on this day.
Schools taking part in this tournament are St. Lucia’s, Kotahena, Hamza MV, Mutwall, Mahasen M.V. Polonnaruwa, T. B. Jaya Slave Island, Al Hilal Negombo and Madinnagoda M.V.
Manchester Soccer Academy inaugurated on March 25 this year is headed by former National player Augustine George and assisted by a set of former National Players who are all licenced coaches working at the Academy.
The Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government Faizer Musthapha the patron of the Academy, renders his fullest support said the president of Manchester Soccer Academy, Augustine George.
He also said that the Football Federation of Sri Lanka is also lending its hand in supporting the Academy from its inception.The festival is sponsored by Milo, Unilever, Travell Call, KJM Brothers, Auto Pal, MF Sports, Razma Gems Ebony Traders and Zewaus Luckyland Cake Creations.