Sports

Indonesia’s hosting rights for U-20 World Cup, stripped

Published

1 year ago

March 30, 2023

editor

Fifa has stripped Indonesia of hosting rights for the Under-20 World Cup.

The decision follows the cancellation of the official draw for the tournament, which was due to be held in Bali last Friday.

The Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI) said Fifa was forced to cancel the draw after Bali’s governor Wayan Koster refused to host the Israeli team.

The U20 World Cup is set to take place from 20 May to 11 June.

Indonesia does not have any formal diplomatic ties with Israel and recently protesters have held marches demanding Israel be stopped from competing in the tournament, in support of Palestine.

Indonesia were awarded hosting rights in 2019, before Israel qualified for the tournament. England’s U20 team is also set to compete.

“Fifa has decided, due to the current circumstances, to remove Indonesia as the host of the Fifa U20 World Cup 2023,” a Fifa statement said.

“A new host will be announced as soon as possible, with the dates of the tournament currently remaining unchanged. Potential sanctions against the PSSI may also be decided at a later stage.”

Half an hour before Fifa’s announcement, PSSI executive committee member Arya Sinulingga said he was “very pessimistic” about Indonesia keeping the hosting rights.

“If we make political requirements in sports, it’ll always be like this. We will be exiled from the football ecosystem.

“It’s very tough for all of us. We’re headed into a calamity in sports. We have to separate football or sports and politics.”

(BBC News)

Sports

Yupun, Nadeeha secure 2 medals at UAE Athletics Grand Prix

Published

31 mins ago

May 3, 2024

editor

Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon secured third place in the Men’s 100m event at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix 2024 in Dubai this afternoon (May 03).

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Nadeesha Ramanayake has won second place in the Women’s 400m event.

Sports

LPL player auction on May 21

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

editor

The Player Auction of the Lanka Premier League 2024, which is Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic T20 League with an international flavor, will be conducted on May 21, 2024.

The auction will be held at the Hotel Shangri-La, Colombo starting at noon.

This is the second consecutive year that the Lanka Premier League, which is growing in strength and popularity, is conducting a ‘player auction.’

During the initial three editions, the players were picked by a ‘player draft.’

Every team has the option of having a maximum of 24 and a minimum of 20 players in a squad, while each squad should consist of six overseas players.

It will be mandatory to play an U23 player (Sri Lanka) in the playing XI. The auction will be shown live across TV and digital platforms.

The LPL will be conducted from July 1st to 21st, starting in Kandy, then in Dambulla, before heading to Colombo for the business end of the tournament.

(SLC)

Sports

SL confirm ICC Women’s T20 WC qualifier semi-final spot

Published

1 day ago

May 2, 2024

nipuni

Tournament favourites, Sri Lanka has confirmed their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Group A semi-final spot with a dominant, 67-run victory over Uganda at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

A career-best T20I knock from Vishmi Gunaratne and a brilliant bowling effort led Sri Lanka to a massive win in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier.

With this victory, Sri Lanka continues their unbeaten streak in the tournament.

Scores :

Sri Lanka

154/4, 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 73 not out, Hasini Perera 30; Janet Mbabazi 1-19)

Uganda

87 all out, 19.2 overs (Prosscovia Alako 36; Inoka Ranaweera 2-10, Shashini Gimhani 2-23, Kavisha Dilhari 2-27)

Player of the Match – Vishmi Gunaratne