While the global football fans are glued to watch Football World Cup (FIFA) elsewhere, the Army Inter Regiment Football Championship - 2022 tournament that started off in January this year, drew to a close on Tuesday (22) afternoon at Colombo Race Course grounds, giving fresh hopes for a new breed of budding Army footballers of high standards.

17 Regimental football teams vied in the tournament at Regimental levels before the final tussle between teams of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (SLASC) and the Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC) kicked off amidst cheers and applause.

Adding importance to the finals, a distinguished gathering, including Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Chief of Staff as the Chief Guest on behalf of the Commander of the Army, together with Major General Channa Weerasuriya, Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Sujeewa Senarath Yapa Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Major General Chandana Wickramasinghe, Adjutant General and a large gathering of football fans witnessed the finals at Race Course grounds.

After a neck-to-neck close encounter that beat the Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps players, the football team of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps emerged champions in the Inter Regiment Football Championship - 2022. The score remained 4 - 2 goals.

The day’s Chief Guest after the finals, together with a few other invited senior officers, gave away awards, trophies and certificates to the winning teams and achievers.

Awards for the Best Player of the tournament went to Staff Sergeant H.D.M Silva of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps Team and the Best Goal Keeper trophy was presented to Private M.A.N Gimhana of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps team.

The Sri Lanka Army Football Committee, led by Brigadier Upul Kodithuwakku, Chairman Army Football Committee and Director Personnel Administration was instrumental in the conduct of the tournament and the finals in consultation with the Directorate of Sports.