Third annual football encounter between S. Thomas’ and Gateway
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Standing from left: Thilaka Jinadasa (Team Leader, Sports Development, Gateway College), Vinita Shenoy (Principal, Gateway College), Dr Harsha Alles (Chairman, Gateway Group), Niven Nanayakkara (Captain, S. Thomas’ College), Alan Fernando (Captain, Gateway College), Rev. Marc Billimoria (Warden, S. Thomas’ College), Asanka Perera (Sub Warden, S. Thomas’ College) and Chaminda Balachandra (Master-in-charge, S. Thomas’ College)
The stage is set for the third annual football encounter between S. Thomas’ College and Gateway College, with both teams vying for the prestigious Neville de Alwis-Ralph Alles Challenge Trophy. Named after two renowned educators, this trophy is a reminder of everything they stood for — camaraderie, sportsmanship and equal opportunity.
This third annual encounter will be played at the new football grounds at Gateway College, Ratmalana on January 22. The joint organising committee confirmed that arrangements have been made to conduct an Under-16 and Under-20 match between S. Thomas’ College and Gateway College and a friendly Girls Under-20 game between Gateway College and Overseas International School Colombo.
The S. Thomas’ old boys will also take on the Gateway old boys for the first time this year.
Gateway College won the last two encounters under the guidance of coach James Heath. Coached by M. Siddeek, S. Thomas’ displayed a marked improvement in the second encounter. Both S. Thomas’, captained by Niven Nanayakkara, and Gateway, led by Alan Fernando, are evenly matched with technically correct and skillful players who promise to provide spectators an interesting game, filled with healthy rivalry at this state-of-the-art facility.
Both S. Thomas’ and Gateway continuously strive towards the development of sports in this country. What these two schools invest in their sportsmen will not only benefit the individuals themselves, but also the schools they come from and the country they so proudly represent.
In its long history, S. Thomas’ has produced several world class sportsmen and despite being a relatively young school Gateway too has shaped a number of athletes, swimmers, basketball, netball and football players who have represented Sri Lanka and brought pride to the motherland.
Jaswar Umar, the newly elected President of the Football Federation Sri Lanka will be the chief guest and Ms. Premila Paulraj, the Regional Director, Asia Pearson Edexcel, will be the guest of honour of the encounter.
Presenting the cheque by Premila Paulraj, the Regional Director, Asia for Pearson, the principal sponsor to Rev. Marc Billimoria, Warden of S. Thomas’ College; and Dr Harsha Alles, the Chairman of Gateway Group
Romesh Jayatillake, the Marketing Manager of Munchee and Ceylon Biscuit Limited makes their commitment as the Official Food Partner
Captains Niven Nanayakkara of S. Thomas’ and Alan Fernando of Gateway with the challenge trophy