With a view to promoting sport skills and encouraging Soccer players in Vadamarachchi area, 55 Division Headquarters took initiative to organize an Interclub Soccer Tournament with the participation of 11 sports clubs in the area after absence of over 25 years.
Peace-loving people in Uduththurai in Vadamarachchi East, once affected with constant fear of artillery and mortar rounds, became helpless as their life turned miserable with intensified terrorist attacks sometime ago, are now relieved to enjoy peace dividends, particularly with the support of arrangements, being made by the troops.
During their leisure, most people living by the side of the sea are used to play a game of soccer as dusk falls. 55 Division Headquarters serving the area taking an interest organized this tournament, beginning late September, this year. Of the 11 clubs that took part, Aliyavalai Arunothya and Uduththurai Bharthi sports clubs became qualified to vie in the finals which took place at Uduththurai Senthamil grounds on Friday (5).
At the final whistle, each side had scored 2 goals. However, with penalties played subsequently, score board displayed 5-2, and Arunothya SC of Aliyavalai was adjudged the champions. Twenty seven year old national player Muththukuamr Nagulesvaram of Aliyavalai who won a President’s award for his talents in 2010 also played for the Arunothya.
Each member of the wining team and the runners up were given valuable mobile phones as gifts by the 55 Division. In addition, “Hype” Energy Drink Company gave 12 T shirts to the champions, 05 T shirts to umpires and trophies for the winners and the runners up were also awarded.
55 Division Headquarters in addition gave away footballs to all the teams that took part in the tournament. The Sri Lanka Army Artillery Brass Band meanwhile conducted a Band Display during the interlude and added melodic music to the occasion.
Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SF-J) Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe graced the final match and the prize awarding occasion as the Chief Guest, on the invitation of Brigadier B.H.M.A. Wijesinghe, General Officer Commanding, 55 Division.
Rev. Fr. K. Jesurathnam and Rev. Fr. K. Justin of Pilivaneri Church Champianpaththu, Rev. Satheeswara Kurukkal of Pallai Amman Kovil, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 55 Division Brigadier Ajith Wijesinghe, General Officer Commanding 52 Division Brigadier Anura Sudhasinghe, General Officer Commanding 51 Division Brigadier Chandana Gunawardana, Divisional Secretary Maruthankerny Mr. S. Thirilinganathan, Divisional Secretary Pachchilappallai Mr. S. Sathyaseelan, Manager Hype Energy Drink Company Mr. Asanka Wijekoon and a large crowd witnessed the final match.
This area was resettled during the first phase of the resettlement programme in 2010. Ever since, the Army has been conducting various programmes of this nature with the objective of fostering goodwill and reconciliation.
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