Palestinian Girls To Play Football In Sri Lanka

Palestine Sri Lanka relations will take a great leap when for the first time a sports team visits Sri Lanka in March.

All arrangements have been made for the under 14 Palestinian Girls National Football Team to visit Sri Lanka from 1st March to 14th March to participate in South and Central Asia Football Festival organized by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka according to Mr. Chrysantha Perera, Chief Executive Officer of the Federation.

Football Federation of Sri Lanka has also informed the Palestine Football Association that it will be responsible for accommodation, transport etc of the visitors.

Accordingly a group of 38 including players, coaches and referees will participate in this festival. Apart from the matches there will be Certificate Coaching courses and Referees courses along with the festival. Palestinian football managers feel that these courses will help them to develop the sport scientifically and on a technically advance level.

Other countries participating in the festival would be Bhutan, India, Iran, Jordan and Sri Lanka.

Dr. T. Jayasinghe, Ambassador for Sri Lanka in Palestine met the leaders of the Palestine Football Association along with the Team Manager Ms. Ruquia Takrouri, Technical Director Dr. Mazen Khatib and a few members of the team at his residence. They were briefed about the long standing close relationship between Sri Lanka and Palestine and the present situation in Sri Lanka. Dr. Jayasinghe also stated that this will be a trailblazer visit and there will be more visits in the future.

The team members stated that this visit being a unique experience they are looking forward visit Sri Lanka to gain experience, see the country, meet the people and also to meet H.E. President Mahinda Rajapaksa who is well known in Palestine as a very close friend and supporter of Palestine and its leaders.

In Palestine football is a very popular game among men and women and there is very good support and patronage from the State of Palestine and general public. Team was grateful to Mr. Jibril Rojoub, President of the Football Union, who encouraged them to participate in this festival.

Sports festivals of this nature will give Palestinians the much needed exposure, experience and practice when playing with foreign players. This will also boost the image of the State of Palestine in the eyes of the world as these visitors from Palestine will be considered as Ambassadors of goodwill.

Team Manager Ms. Ruquia Takrouri says that if they get more opportunities of this nature her members can reach international standards very easily as all members are young, devoted and energetic. They are extremely grateful to the Football Federation of Sri Lanka for extending this invitation.

According to Palestinian sources there is more to come. Both Sri Lanka and Palestine have already had discussions to organize football matches in the near future. H.E. Dr. Anwer Al Agha, Ambassador for Palestine in Sri Lanka has promised to extend all assistance to the visitors from Palestine.

Palestinian Girls To Play Football In Sri Lanka | Asian Tribune