The Traveller Football Academy wins big at the Inaugural Colombo Kickerz Football Carnival
The Traveller Football Academy won the Under-16 category of the Inaugural Colombo Kickerz Football Carnival, while Renown White and Renown Blue won the Under-12 and Under-14 categories respectively.
The surprise package of the tournament was the team from Hatton, as they managed to upset a few big named sides to finish runner-up in the Under-12 and Under-14 age categories respectively.
Twenty eight (28) teams across three (3) age groups took part in the tournament conducted at the Racecourse International Stadium in Colombo. The teams comprised from Blue Jay’s Football Academy Hatton, Colombo International School, Colombo Lions Football Academy, Kotahena Central College, Renown Football Academy, Royal College, St. Joseph’s College, Sunday Football Academy Avissawella, The Overseas School of Colombo, and The Traveller Football Academy Gampola. The tournament was organized by Colombo Kickerz in partnership with Abanchy Ceylon.
The first round of games were played in a league format with the top two teams progressing through to Qualifier 1 and bottom teams battling it out in the Eliminator. The winner of the Qualifier 1 made their way directly to the final while the winner of the Eliminator played the loser of Qualifier 1. The winner from the 2nd Qualifier made the final while the loser placed third in their respective age category.
Under-12
Blue Jay and Renown White topped group A and B respectively, while Overseas A and Colombo Kickerz took the second spot. Renown won Qualifier 1 to book their place in the final while Blue Jay played Colombo Kickerz in the 2nd Qualifier after Kickerz defeated Overseas ‘A’ in the Eliminator. Blue Jay held Kickerz to a nil-all draw after full time, but managed to win the shoot-out 2-0 to secure a rematch with Renown White in the final.
Renown White were unstoppable as they defeated Blue Jay to take home the Under 12 Championship.
Under-14
Renown White and Blue Jay topped group A and B respectively, as Royal College and Renown Blue ended in second place. Blue Jay got the better out of Renown White in the first qualifier and progressed through to the final. Royal College defeated Renown Blue 1-0 in penalties as the game finished nil-all.
Renown White were successful in the Under-14 age category as well, as they defeated rivals from Hatton, Blue Jay 1-0 to secure the Under 14 title as well.
Under-16
This segment was closely contested between the teams as all the youngsters managed to put on a show.
Renown Blue won group A while Royal College pipped Colombo Kickerz by a single point to take second place. The Traveller Football Academy and Blue Jay made their way through from group B setting up the first qualifier between Renown Blue and The Traveller while Royal College played Blue Jay in the Eliminator.
The Traveller qualified with ease defeating Renown Blue 3-0 as Royal managed to knockout Blue Jay in the Eliminator.
Renown Blue bounced back to defeat Royal in the 2nd Qualifier, however, The Traveller repeated their feat, winning the Final 2-0.
List of Individual Award winners:
| Fair Play Award | The Traveller | ||
| Golden Glove | U12 – Mahir Imran (Renown White) | U14 – Ahamed Nadeera (Renown White) | U16 – Mohomad Hamdi (Traveller) |
| Golden Boot | U12 – Yakob (Renown White) | U14 – Sithija Niroshan (Renown White) | U16 – Nazmi Ahamed (Traveller) |
