The annual football encounter between Royal College and Mahinda College for the prestigious Albert Edirisinghe Challenge Trophy will be played for the 25th time this year at the Racecourse ground Colombo today from 3.00 pm with the participation of parents, distinguished old boys, students and football Llvers.
The tournament was inaugurated in 1984 by Albert Edirisinghe of Albert Edirisinghe Opticians, an Old boy of Mahinda College, and his sons Gamini and Janaka who are old boys of Royal College. During that year CTM Fernando was the principal of Royal College and CK Waidyaratne was the principal of Mahinda College.
The Royalists were led by Darshana Perera while the Mahindians were captained by Priyantha Kumara with SJ Maranthota and BP Kiringoda being the Masters-in-Charge of the two schools respectively.
The defending champions Royal College leads the tally by winning this prestigious trophy 21 times while Mahinda College has won it once.
Royal College will be led by Sakun Divianga while Mahinda College will be captained by DLPP Dalugoda . The Chief Guest will be Darshana Perera who captained the Royal College team at the inaugural Albert Edirisinghe Trophy match in 1984.
Pradeep Vittanachchi, Chairman Royal College Union Football Advisory and Management Committee which took the initiative to restart the encounter after it was last played in 2014, is expecting a keen contest.