Football in Sri Lanka

Last updated

Football in Sri Lanka
Country Sri Lanka
Governing body Football Federation of Sri Lanka
National team Sri Lanka
First played1890
Club competitions
International competitions

Football in Sri Lanka is mainly played at a semi-professional and recreational level. Despite not being as well-regarded as the country's cricket team, football is the third biggest sport in Sri Lanka, after cricket and rugby union. Approximately 12% of the people in Sri Lanka are considered association football fans. Only three countries in the world have a lower percentage. [1]

Contents

The Sri Lanka national football team uses the 25,000-capacity Sugathadasa Stadium for their home games.

History

Football was introduced to Sri Lanka (then called Ceylon) by the British. There is evidence of it being played in Galle Face, a sandy area near the coast, by British servicemen stationed in Colombo in the 1890s. The game was also played at grounds of the barracks at Echelon Barracks and the army grounds (presently the Taj Samudra Hotels).

British servicemen of the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery and the Royal Garrison Command began and promoted competitive football in Ceylon. The British administrative service and the planting community enthusiastically took it to the Central, Southern, and Up-Country regions. By early 1900 competitive football was popular with the local youth.

The game became popular and local football clubs were formed. St. Michael's SC, Havelock's Football Club, Java Lane SC, Wekande SC, Moors FC, and CH & FC, the last being a European monopoly, were some of the first clubs in Columbo. Harlequins FC and Saunders SC soon joined. The trophies of the early tournaments were the De Mel Shield and the Times of Ceylon Cup.

Football also became popular in the country's Southern Provence, where the planting and administrative community promoted the game. British planter T R. Brough in Deniyaya heavily promoted football in the south between 1910 and 1920, and British servicemen from the Navy wireless station in Matara also helped popularise it. [2]

Governing body

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka [3] [4] [5] [6] is the governing body for football in the country. The association administers the national football team as well as the Sri Lanka Super League. [7] [8]

Football stadiums

StadiumCapacityCityTenantsImage
Sugathadasa Stadium 25,000 Colombo Sri Lanka national football team, Colombo FC, Renown SC Sugatadasa Stadium.jpg

Competitions

League

Cup

See also

References

  1. ↑ https://countrycassette.com/rankings-sports-football-fans-by-country/
  2. ↑ "History of football in Sri Lanka". dailynews.lk. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. ↑ Hafiz Marikar (2013-07-18). "History of football in Sri Lanka | Daily News Online : Sri Lanka's National News". Dailynews.lk. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  4. ↑ "An appeal to the Minister of Sports to resurrect Sri Lanka Football". Sundaytimes.lk. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  5. ↑ "Sri Lanka's first international win at football | The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka". Sundaytimes.lk. 2013-06-23. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  6. ↑ "Football: Sri Lanka eyes new start after graft scandal". GlobalPost. 2013-10-10. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  7. ↑ "Fifa 'failed to probe' Sri Lanka football corruption | Colombo Herald". Colomboherald.com. 2011-09-02. Archived from the original on December 5, 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  8. ↑ "BBCSinhala.com | Sandeshaya | Fifa 'failed to probe' Sri Lanka football corruption". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
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