Gateway meet Thomians in football’s model match | Sunday Observer

Gateway meet Thomians in football’s model match

19 January, 2020

The second edition of the soccer encounter between S. Thomas’ College and Gateway College for the Neville de Alwis-Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy is set to kick off on January 25 at the Race Course ground.

In addition to the main under-20 encounter the organizers have made arrangements to play three junior games for boys under-12, 14 and 16 while an additional feature will be the inclusion of an under-20 girls match between Gateway College and Overseas School Colombo which is scheduled to kick off at 3.30 pm. These details were disclosed at a media briefing held at S. Thomas’ College on Thursday. Warden of S Thomas’ College Rev. Marc Billimoria stated that though his school is engaged in many sports, football was not actively taking place.

But with the Director of Sports who himself was a soccerite there came a keen interest in promoting it at the school.

“Football is the game played throughout the world and the most witnessed spot which has set a record.

The International Schools are deprived of engaging in sporting activities with national schools.

“This was the main reason why I decided to engage in sporting activities with a national school to foster friendly ties among students as they all belong to one country. Though International Schools come under a different category they too serve Sri Lankan students,” said Dr. Harsha Alles. Gateway College won the first game when they trounced the Thomians by five goals to one last year and hope to retain the Trophy.

“They have already played a few games against leading soccer playing teams and have gained lots of experience. I think this will help us retain the Trophy with the support of all players,” said Areeb Niyas the captain of Gateway who are coached by an Englishman James Heath.

Shevaan Ebenezer who has won Thomian Colours for sports as a polo player and a footballer leads the team for the second successive year.

“Last year we failed to live up to expectations due to lack of practices. This time we have had a lot of practice sessions under the guidance of our coach Aruna Shantha,” said Ebenezer.

Gateway squad: Areeb Niyas (captain), Rafaah Suhail, Infas Iqbal, Samunu Kaggodaarachchi, Basth Suhaibdeen, Muir Aslam, Umar Fazeer, Atheek Eusoof, Qwayne de Mel, Imad Imran, Lushane de Silva, Dulaj Wijewardena, Dirk Fedinandes, Isa Fahim, Binitha Chandrasena, Allan Fernando, Samithu Jayasinghe, Malindu Gallage, Kavinu Wickramsinghe.

S. Thomas’ squad: Shavaan Ebenezer (captain), MT Rabel, TSJ Weeratunge, SV de Alwis, SE Agaran, AJ Benjamin, MK Suhayb, M. Pathmawman. NR Nanayakkara, D. Shivadharshan, AA Janees, MJ Rodrigo, AN Nilaweera, GK Mack, NMM Perera, SC de Silva, KKN Kamalachandra, SYS Anthonisz, JA Fernando, DFT Perera and DFC Perera

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