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

Published

2 years 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)

SL U-19 squad for Youth ODIs, named

Published

11 hours ago

April 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket’s Junior Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the first two Youth One Day Internationals (ODIs) against the touring Bangladesh Under-19 team.

The matches will be held from April 24 – May 08.

SL youth athletes win 02 more medals in Saudi Arabia

Published

17 hours ago

April 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka has clinched two international medals at the 6th Asian U18 Athletics Championships 2025 which began on April 15 in Saudi Arabia.

Dananjana Sewmini Fernando won the silver medal in the girls under-18 100m with a time of 11:9:2 seconds while Lahiru Achintha won the bronze medal in the under-18 1,500m.

Achintha achieved this medal by completing the event in 3:59:47 minutes.

Kasun Rajitha set to make Essex debut tomorrow

Published

17 hours ago

April 17, 2025

editor

Sri Lankan seamer Kasun Rajitha has joined Essex on a five-match deal for the Rothesay County Championship.

Chris Silverwood, former Sri Lanka head coach and current Essex director of cricket, played a key role in signing Kasun Rajitha.

“We are delighted to welcome Kasun to Essex and very much look forward to watching him perform in the County Championship,” said Silverwood. “I know his experience and skill set will certainly help strengthen our already superb bowling attack.”

In a statement released by Essex, Rajitha added: “It is a really proud moment for me to be joining Essex. I have followed the team over the years, and they have always produced excellent and entertaining first-class cricket.

“I am joining a strong bowling unit and look forward to contributing on the field and helping the team win matches. I would like to thank Chris Silverwood for giving me this opportunity and Sri Lanka Cricket for allowing me to further hone my skills.”

Rajitha joins Essex after fast bowler Sam Cook’s injury. Rajitha’s addition is also seen as a solution to the loss of Shardul Thakur, who was called up for the IPL, according to the Essex management.

The 31-year-old The right-armer has 18 Test caps, with 55 wickets at 29.58, and returned a career-best 5 for 56 in the last of those appearances, in March 2024 against Bangladesh.

He is scheduled to make his debut tomorrow (April 18) against Worcestershire at Chelmsford.