October 29, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage has met Sri Lanka’s Under-15 national football squad in Baku, Azerbaijan, offering words of encouragement as the young players represent the country at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival.
The visit took place on Wednesday (28), with Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar accompanying the Minister to meet the team and recognise the significance of its participation in the international event.
The tournament and festival provide a valuable platform for Sri Lanka’s emerging footballers to test their abilities against international opposition, experience different playing styles and develop a deeper understanding of the demands of competitive football.
Addressing the players, Minister Gamage stressed that opportunities to participate in international competitions at a young age could play an important role in shaping their sporting careers. He encouraged the squad to make the most of the experience, learn from their opponents and use the occasion as motivation to pursue higher ambitions in the game.
He described the event as an important early step for aspiring footballers, noting that exposure to a world-class sporting environment could help them build the skills, confidence and determination required to progress towards professional football.
National Sports Council Chairman Priyantha Ekanayake also joined the delegation and watched matches earlier in the day, underscoring the interest of the country’s sporting authorities in the development of young football talent.
Meanwhile, the FFSL has announced plans to organise similar football carnivals in cities across Sri Lanka as part of a broader effort to expand participation among children and young people.
The proposed events are expected to create more opportunities for youngsters to engage in the sport, while helping officials identify promising players who could eventually progress to national-level teams. Wider participation and more structured grassroots programmes are also expected to strengthen the pathway from youth football to the senior international level.
The Federation believes that sustained investment in development programmes, combined with opportunities to compete overseas, will be important in improving the competitiveness of both Sri Lanka’s youth and senior national teams.
Sri Lanka’s appearance at the first FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Baku therefore represents more than participation in a single tournament. It also offers an opportunity to build international experience, nurture ambition among young players and support the longer-term development of football in the country.
