Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar met the country’s Under-15 national football team in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the team is participating in the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Football Festival.
The meeting provided an opportunity to interact with the young players, encourage them and recognise the significance of their participation in this historic international football event.
The inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Football Festival offers young footballers a valuable platform to gain international experience, develop their skills and learn about different football cultures. Sri Lanka is among the participating nations in this pioneering initiative, which aims to inspire children worldwide to dream of representing their countries on the international stage.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our young players to learn, gain experience and compete in a world-class football environment at an early age. It is an important first step for every player to dream big and work with dedication towards becoming a professional footballer in the future,” Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said.
National Sports Council Chairman Priyantha Ekanayake also attended the occasion and observed the matches held earlier that morning.
The FFSL is planning to organise similar football festivals in various cities across Sri Lanka. The initiative aims to give more children access to organised football, identify emerging talent and prepare young players for future international competitions.
Sri Lankan football has made notable progress over the past two years at both senior and youth national-team levels. Through continued investment in grassroots development, youth participation and international exposure, the FFSL aims to make football the country’s leading sport while creating more opportunities for the next generation of Sri Lankan footballers.
Sri Lanka’s participation in this historic FIFA initiative marks another important step towards building a stronger future for football in the country.
