Gateway team seated from left to right: Major Gen. M. R. U. Bandarathilakae (Head of Sports), Rohana Perera (Deputy Principal), Aneeb Niyas (Vice Captain), Dr. Harsha Alles (Chairman), Rashane Wijewardena (Captain), Vinita Shenoy (Principal), James Heath (Head Coach) Standing 1st row from L to R: Isa Fahim, Umar Fazeer, Nansika Koggodaarachchi, Henschelle de Mel, Binitha Chandrasena, Abdulla Zahir, Dwayne de Mel, Malidu Gallage. Standing 2nd row from L to R: Atif Frand, Atheek Eusoof, Jahan Malik, Aaqib Imthiyaz, Rafaah Suhail, Ahil Ahmed, Munir Aslam, Samunu Koggodaarachchi.
The historical inaugural football encounter between the two leading schools S. Thomas’s College, Mount Lavinia and Gateway College, Ratmalana for the Neville de Alwis and Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy will be played at the newly built Gateway grounds today (Saturday 26 January) under floodlights. The match will kick off at 6.00 p.m.
This match has been organized in memory of the two legendary and visionary educationists who were Warden and Chairman of the two great schools of the island. Neville de Alwis was the Warden of S. Thomas’ for 15 years and Ralph Alles was the chairman of Gateway.
Both present heads of the two schools are extremely keen to encourage the globally famed game and hope to usher an era with fair competition, friendship, team spirit and respect for written and unwritten rules such as integrity which are the building blocks of fair play that can be experienced and learnt both on and off the field.
S. Thomas’ won against Trinity at their annual football encounter played at the end last year. The team is led by David Shevan Ebenezar and coached by former national R. N. U. Mahindapala. Gateway the hosts of the inaugural match, emerged champions at last year’s under 20 Inter International Schools football tournament. Gateway team is captained by Rashane Wijewardena and coached by James Heath.
Both teams are evenly balanced with skillful players who promise to provide spectators an interesting and thrilling game.
The Organizing Committee hopes that this annual encounter and the facilities provided by the two schools will encourage players to learn not just how to play the game, but how to play in the spirit of the game and equip themselves to deal with victory and defeat in the right manner.
Warden of S. Thomas’, Rev’d Marc Billimoria and Chairman of Gateway, Dr. Harsha Alles will be the Chief Guests at this occasion.
Preceding the seniors match an under 14 match between both schools will be played with the kick off at 3.00 p. m. This will be followed by a friendly match between Gateway and Vishaka girls teams.
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