Royal- Trinity clash for J. R. Jayewardene Trophy

The 5th J.R. Jayewardene Trophy annual football encounter will be played today featuring a face-off between Royal College and Trinity College at Royal College Sports Complex at Reid Avenue.

This annual clash pays tribute to Sri Lanka’s first Executive President J.R. Jayewardene, an esteemed alumnus of Royal College who served as the vice-captain of the Royal College Football Team back in 1925.

Trinity College Football Team: Seating (from left): Sanoj Srinath (Coach), Stephen Asher (Captain), Fr Rev. Araliya Jayasundara (Principal), Vevash Muraleedaran (Vice Captain), Uthiya Wijesinghe (POG), Kusal Perera (MIC). 2nd Row (from left): Sanithu Udunuwara, Viduka Dhammage, Yevan Hulangamuwa, Pradeeshan Chandrasekaram, Uvan Vithanage, Avishka Bambaradeniya, Dinusha Peiris, Dev Karavita, Udhaya Punchihewa, Sharun Ravikumar, Hithesh Arunasalam, Akshee Mahadivulwewa, Rashode Kumaratunga. 3rd Row (from left): Umar Hassan, Mohammed Abdullah, Viduneth Dhammage, Gagan Herath, Rahul Sathiyasivam, Shaan Althaf, Savitha Gunawardena, Nimsara Bandara, Saihan Ibrahim.

Royal College, the defending champions, secured victory in last year’s encounter, a one-day competition held across three age groups: Under-16, Under-18, and Under-20. The prestigious JR Jayewardene Trophy is awarded to the winner of the Under-20 age group match.

Leading the charge for Royal College’s Under-20 team is captain Minuk Pallegangoda, part of a 20-member football squad guided by coach RTG Raheem. Trinity College is fielding the same team as last year, under the leadership of Stephen Asher and the coaching expertise of Sanoj Srinath.

The tournament, initiated in 2017, saw its inaugural edition end in a draw. In the subsequent years of 2018 and 2019, Trinity College clinched the title, securing the JR Jayewardene Trophy. However, the tournament faced a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Royal College resumed the series as defending champions in 2022, maintaining an overall tally of 2-1 in favour of Trinity College.

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