Sports

The return of seasoned wicketkeeper batter Niroshan Dickwella has dominated headlines following the announcement of Sri Lanka’s 16 member squad for the upcoming opening Test against India.

The selection panel led by Kapila Wijegunawardena named the squad for the match scheduled to take place at the Galle International Cricket Stadium from 15 to 19 August.

Dickwella makes his return to the national Test setup after an absence of nearly three years, having last featured in the longest format against New Zealand in 2023.

The player faced a suspension in August 2024 following an anti-doping rule violation.

Reports indicated that his initial three year ban was reduced to three months upon appeal, clearing the path for his competitive return.

His unexpected recall has sparked widespread debate among cricket analysts and fans regarding the criteria used by selectors to justify his inclusion.

The 33 year old left hander brings considerable experience, having scored 2,757 runs across 54 Tests at an average of 30.97 alongside 134 dismissals behind the stumps.

However, critics have questioned why selectors chose the veteran over younger wicketkeeper batters who have posted consistent figures in domestic competitions.

Selectors have opted for proven international experience due to the absence of key players, with Kusal Mendis sidelined by injury and Pathum Nissanka unavailable.

*Team composition*

Dhananjaya de Silva will lead the side during the high stakes series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, with Kamindu Mendis serving as vice captain.

The squad balances experience with youth, featuring potential debutants Pasindu Sooriyabandara and off spinner Keshara Nuwantha alongside returning fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka.

Public scrutiny remains focused on whether Dickwella was selected based on recent domestic form, wicketkeeping skills, or purely to fill the void left by injuries.

Observer opinion suggests that greater official transparency regarding recent domestic performances would help address public criticism surrounding the recall.

If handed the gloves in Galle, Dickwella will face immense pressure to deliver both behind the stumps and in the middle order against a formidable Indian team.

Ultimate judgment on the selection panel's controversial decision will rest entirely on the team's performance when the series gets underway.

Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga has surged to top spot in the men's javelin throw world rankings, becoming the first athlete from the island nation to lead the global standings in the discipline.

The 23-year-old reached the summit with 1,354 ranking points following a gold medal performance at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

According to the latest World Athletics rankings, Tharanga moved ahead of Germany's Julian Weber (1,348 points) and Grenada's Anderson Peters (1,333 points).

Tharanga clinched gold in Glasgow with an 89.75-metre effort, defeating a stellar field that included former Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India.

Full rankings list: https://worldathletics.org/world-rankings/javelin-throw/men

Behind the scenes of this year’s lavish Cricket Awards ceremony lay a string of controversial dealings and organizational mishaps.

The event was managed by the newly appointed Cricket Transitional Committee under the leadership of Eran Wickramaratne.

Trouble began early in the planning process when the primary corporate sponsor suddenly backed out.

A well known property developer was initially slated to fund the ceremony but withdrew due to their close ties with former cricket board chief Shammi de Silva.

The committee then turned to a major Asian telecommunications provider, which eventually secured the main sponsorship rights at a heavily discounted rate.

Internal friction escalated further over the award selections and guest lists.

Former selection committee members led by Pramodya Wickramasinghe carried out the evaluations but were entirely excluded from attending the ceremony.

An award intended for former selector Vinothen John was cancelled at the last minute, while the newly appointed selection panel led by Kapila Wijegunawardena claimed full credit for the recipient list.

Legal complications also emerged following the abrupt termination of the previous selection board via phone call.

Facing potential legal action, the administration settled matters privately by paying three months of salary totaling Rs. 2.4 million to three former selectors.

Consequently, the SLC paid double salaries to both incoming and outgoing selection panels simultaneously.

Attendance at the venue was dominated by corporate guests and internal staff rather than cricket veterans.

Over half the seating capacity was reserved for executive clients of the telecom sector sponsor, while 25 passes were allocated to SLC personnel.

Several prominent former players were omitted from the guest list, leading families of current award winners to leave the premises before the proceedings ended.

Sources suggest substantial funds are being spent on media relations to manage the fallout from the event.

Observers note that the management style of the current transitional body closely mirrors that of the previous administration, with the lack of support from the International Cricket Council remaining the primary point of difference.

(SL Leader)

Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar has been unanimously elected as the Vice President of the South Asian Football Federation.

The election took place during the executive committee meeting of the regional governing body held in Bhutan, where representatives from all seven member nations voted to back his candidacy.

All member associations across the region, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, cast their votes in complete alignment to endorse the Sri Lankan football chief.

This regional elevation follows a period of notable progress for local football under the leadership of Umar, who assumed the FFSL presidency just over two years ago.

During his initial tenure, the Sri Lankan national men’s team experienced a significant surge in international standings, rising over 20 positions in the FIFA World Rankings from 207 to 187.

This climb marks the nation’s highest FIFA ranking in more than 15 years.

The current administration has implemented structural reforms across domestic football, focused on governance standards, expanded grass-roots development programmes, and enhanced investment in youth competitions.

Umar already holds administrative roles on the global and continental stage as a committee member for both the FIFA Grassroots Football Committee and the AFC Development Committee.

The elevation of Sri Lanka’s top football administrator to a senior regional executive role highlights the country’s growing diplomatic influence within international sports governance while signaling potential opportunities to attract future regional funding, infrastructure development, and tournament hosting rights to the island.

Following this administrative milestone, attention shifts to performance on the pitch as the Sri Lanka national team prepares for the upcoming SAFF Championship in November, where the squad aims to secure the regional title for the first time in decades.

Lionel Messi said he is unsure how much longer he will continue playing football as he posted an emotional tribute after his father's death.

Messi's father Jorge was 68 when he died last week following a long illness.

Jorge had been the Argentina forward's agent since he was 14 and watched him become one of the sport's greatest ever players.

"I don't know what I'm going to do without you," eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi wrote on social media.

"I don't know how to carry on. I used to just play football, and now I'm really not sure if I'll carry on doing it for much longer.

"You were by my side from the very beginning. We were so close to the end. Why didn't you hang in there just a little longer so we could finish this together?"

Messi captained Argentina as they won the World Cup in 2022 and led them to the 2026 World Cup final, which his side lost 1-0 to Spain, before returning to club side Inter Miami.

He returned home with his family after Jorge passed away in a hospital in his hometown of Rosario, Argentina.

A private funeral took place on Sunday at a cemetery in the town of Perez, on the outskirts of Rosario.

"Dad, I still can't believe you're gone," Messi continued. "It hasn't sunk in, or rather, I don't want it to.

"It's so hard for me to imagine that I'll never see you again, that we'll never talk again. I know you were suffering and that this is for the best, but you left too soon. We still had so much left to enjoy together."

During the World Cup, Messi was brought to tears after scoring the opening goal in Argentina's 3-0 win against Algeria because of a matter he said was "completely unrelated to football". A statement from his family later said Jorge was dealing with a "health-related situation".

Messi added: "You kept asking me to play in one last World Cup, and just days before it started, that's when you took a turn for the worse.

"It was the first time you weren't going to be at a tournament, but Mom kept telling me you'd get better and that you'd be well enough to travel. I kept telling you that we were going to make it to the final so you could come along.

"Every time a game ended, I'd wait for and miss your message. That's when I realised how bad the situation was.

"Even so, I couldn't stop thinking about going as far as possible, to give you time to watch a game. We made it to the final, and you couldn't be there.

"I wanted to win it so I could bring the trophy to you and show you a new one. I couldn't, my legs had nothing left. This time I tried to push past my physical limits, but I couldn't. I never managed to feel right."

Messi made his sixth appearance at a World Cup as he captained Argentina at the 2026 tournament.

He played eight games during the competition, scoring eight goals and registering four assists.

Ronaldo and Beckham offer condolences

Messi's family relocated to Spain in February 2001 after he was signed by Barcelona aged just 13 and, while his mother and three siblings soon moved back to Rosario, his father stayed with him.

The forward went on to score a record 672 goals in 778 games for Barca, helping the club to win the Champions League four times and La Liga title on 10 occasions.

He joined Paris St-Germain in August 2021 before moving to Inter Miami in July 2023, with his contract at the Major League Soccer side running until 2028.

"Of course, you never missed a single game," said Messi. "How you suffered watching me play and how much you enjoyed it, even though you never gave me much praise.

"You were my dad, my friend and my mentor. You were always exactly the person you needed to be in every moment, and you were never wrong about anything.

"Despite a few disagreements or arguments, you were always right. In the end, things always turned out just as you said they would.

"I'm going to miss you so much, but you'll always be with me, especially in raising my children, because I teach and raise them just as you both did with me.

"Rest in peace, and watch over us from above just as you did here. Thank you for everything.

"I love you, Dad."

Following Messi's emotional tribute, Portugal international Cristiano Ronaldo posted a message to his fellow forward.

"A huge hug to you and yours in these hard times, Leo. Much strength," said the 41-year-old.

Inter Miami co-owner and ex-England international Beckham said: "We are with you and your family, Leo, always."

(BBC)

Sri Lanka opened its medal account at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Thursday, with para athlete Palitha Bandara clinching silver in the men's Discus Throw F42-44/F61-64 final.

Bandara threw a personal best of 46.84 metres to secure second place in a closely fought competition.

Welsh athlete' Aled Davies claimed the gold medal, while Akeem Stewart of Trinidad and Tobago settled for bronze.

For the 37 year old Sri Lankan, the achievement carries added significance as it marks his second successive Commonwealth Games silver, following a similar result at the Birmingham 2022 edition of the Games.

Bandara's latest throw of 46.84m also represents a new personal best, underlining his continued progress in the event.

Young wordmiths represented Sri Lanka on the global stage following the conclusion of the World Youth Scrabble Championship 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday.

Hosted at the Trademark Hotel in Village Market, the flagship international tournament brought together elite young talent from over 22 countries.

The competition serves as one of the premier global platforms for junior players, testing rigorous vocabulary knowledge, tactical strategy, sharp focus and quick decision making skills under pressure.

The national contingent comprised ten talented players chosen by the Scrabble Federation of Sri Lanka through its official selection framework.

Representing top schools from across the island, nine male players and one female player earned nominations to wear national colours.

The male line up featured Inam Irshad and Imad Irshad from Gateway College, Colombo alongside Kevan Croos, Kyaan Perera and Omiru Nandasiri from S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia.

Pasindu Wijewardena from Stafford International, Aathif Kamil Rishard from Royal College and Tharin Kariyawasam and Aayush Haputhanthiri from Richmond College also made the squad.

Girls’ High School, Kandy student Kaumadee Balasinghe stood out as the sole female player in the Sri Lankan contingent.

The dust has barely settled on the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026, yet further development of the competition’s future has already been mooted, as well as struck by a fierce backlash.

The shine on the trophy, now held by Spain after their defeat of Argentina in the final, still glitters brightly, but there were tarnishes to this year’s event.

Now, the game’s global governing body, FIFA, and its president, Gianni Infantino, face yet more criticism after a plan was released to sell stakes in future World Cups and other events to private investors.

From European football’s governing body, UEFA, to the United Kingdom’s new prime minister, Andy Burnham, FIFA’s plan has been slammed. There has even been a suggestion of a boycott by UEFA.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a look at what the latest proposals on FIFA’s desk mean.

What are Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s new World Cup plans?

FIFA announced plans on Tuesday to sell stakes in future World Cups and other events to private investors in a bid to maximise revenue for the sport.

The proposal is to create a $20bn subsidiary to run the World Cup and other events.

FIFA says it would retain the majority share of a newly created FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, meaning it would still preside over football governance, competitions, match calendars and regulatory and sporting decisions.

Minority stakes, however, would be sold to external investors to raise up to $4.2bn as part of the new proposal.

Why do Infantino and FIFA want to sell stakes in the World Cup?

Debate raged for months in the build-up to World Cup 2026 that FIFA’s ticket pricing was pushing fans out of “the people’s game”, as it has long been regarded.

FIFA’s defence was that the World Cup is their main source of income to support the game around the globe – from the sport’s grassroots to the administration of the major international events.

This latest proposal is FIFA’s attempt to stretch that revenue potential even further.

How would the new plan for the FIFA World Cup work?

Billions of dollars are already raised by FIFA tournaments, largely from broadcasting rights, sponsorship and other commercial deals.

This new commercial subsidiary, the FFE, would extend beyond traditional means of raising funds and would be akin to the franchise model that many sports have now turned to.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), a T20 cricket tournament, was one of the first competitions to fully exploit the potential of franchise models, selling stakes in teams in a newly formed competition.

On Wednesday, the IPL – only formed in 2008 – announced its value had soared more than 11% this year to 20.6bn.

Teams in that competition are owned by majority investors, who therefore hold significant sway in how it is run.

Other models, including The Hundred of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) – an attempt to rival the IPL – have sold minority ownership of the teams.

ECB, as a result, retains control of the competition, and this is what FIFA is proposing for the share of the World Cup and its events that it intends to sell privately.

Nonetheless, a share is a share and new investors, be it in cricket’s The Hundred or in the FIFA World Cup, will expect at the very least to be heard when it comes to decision-making.

This is where concerns are being raised about the proposals.

Who are the potential investors in the World Cup and other FIFA events?

Thrive Eternal, a United States venture capital firm, has been put forward to lead the proposed investor group, FIFA said.

The vehicle was founded by Joshua Kushner, the brother of US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

Any potential investors would thereafter buy into the FIFA events via Thrive Eternal.

What benefits are FIFA claiming if the World Cup and events plan succeeds?

FIFA has said all net benefits will be reinvested in football, and that all countries should benefit from the ever-increasing profitability of the sport.

“Football is the world’s most popular sport,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

“Parts of the game have turned that popularity into remarkable commercial value – and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, because it lifts the whole game.

“Our job is to make sure the rest of football grows with it: FIFA exists to support sustainable, inclusive development in every corner of the world.”

‘It is not FIFA’s to sell’: UEFA and UK PM reaction to Infantino’s World Cup plan?

FIFA has already clashed with domestic and continental governing bodies during World Cup 2026. The European powerhouse, UEFA, was the first to speak out against the new proposals.

“This crosses a line that football’s governing institutions should never cross,” UEFA said.

“UEFA takes it extremely seriously. So should every National Football Association. So should every stakeholder who cares about the future of the game.

“The soul and governance of football are not assets to trade – especially with zero transparency as to who gains financially. None of us are the owners of football. It is not FIFA’s to sell.”

Andy Burnham, who only replaced Keir Starmer as the United Kingdom’s prime minister last week, wrote on X: “Let me say this very directly. Football does not belong to investors. It belongs to the people who fill the stands and who stand on the touchline week in, week out, rain or shine.

“The World Cup is not a product. It is the greatest competition in world sport, and it was never anyone’s to sell. Dress the deal up however you like. Once you have sold a piece of it, you have sold out.

“Football belongs to the fans. It always has, and it always will,” he added.

The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) said on Wednesday that it ⁠had not been informed of FIFA’s proposed sale of equity to outside investors and was “deeply concerned” over a lack of due process.

What will happen next for FIFA’s World Cup plans, and will UEFA boycott?

Any change will need to be voted through by FIFA’s 211-country membership.

Of that number, 55 nations fall within UEFA’s governance.

The European body will hold an emergency meeting later this week to discuss the proposals.

Were FIFA to implement such a plan, one possible response UEFA could take would include a boycott of FIFA competitions.

Although at just above a quarter of FIFA membership, Europe has produced the winner of six of the last eight World Cups.

Argentina and Brazil are the only teams to prevent a clean sweep by the Europeans in that time, and, indeed, are the only nations outside Europe to win the World Cup since fellow South Americans Uruguay won their second and last title in 1950.

What were the main criticisms of FIFA World Cup 2026?

The main criticism going into the 2026 World Cup, held in the US, Canada and Mexico, was pricing. From tickets to transport links, it was felt that football fans on median salaries around the world were being priced out of the game.

During the World Cup, the decision to suspend a red card shown to USA striker Folarin Balogun “undermined the game’s integrity and credibility,” according to UEFA.

US President Donald Trump said he called Infantino about the ban that Balogun faced – the forward lined up for USA in their next match against Belgium.

FIFA also faced a backlash over hydration breaks that were introduced midway through each half of those matches. Critics said the breaks functioned primarily as commercial opportunities for broadcasters and disrupted the traditional flow of football matches at the tournament.

(Al Jazeera)

Nine-year-old kart racer Tanasha Raddella has rewritten national motorsport history by becoming the first female driver to secure a round victory in the IAME Sri Lanka Series.

The landmark triumph occurred during the third round of the championship held recently at the SpeedBay circuit in Bandaragama, establishing a significant milestone in her rapidly advancing career as one of the country's youngest international competitors.

Beyond her karting pursuits, Raddella has established a strong record in school sports as the Under-10 athletics champion, alongside appearances for the Under-13 basketball and football squads.

This versatility on the field mirrors the resilience and discipline required on the track, where she continues to challenge traditional gender disparities in a male-dominated arena.

Her progress relies heavily on significant financial backing, given the high costs associated with training, travel, elite equipment, and competitive entry fees.

Corporate backing from prominent brands, including Mobil, Yokohama, Cinnamon Grand Colombo, Auto Miraj, and Pitpass, has proven critical in sustaining her domestic and overseas campaigns.

Her parent and manager, Thushira Raddella, stated that the corporate collaboration represented far more than racing, noting that it provides a young athlete with the opportunity to pursue her ambitions, dismantle barriers for female competitors, and demonstrate the tangible outcomes achieved when businesses invest in youth talent.

Sri Lions Sri Lanka has threatened to withdraw from the upcoming 2026-2027 Inter-Club A Division rugby tournament unless Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) tenders a public apology for allegedly damaging the club's brand image and commercial reputation.

Club President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Kelum Sujith Perera delivered the ultimatum during a press conference following the organisation's fifth Annual General Meeting at the JAT Holdings Auditorium in Thalawathugoda on Saturday (25).

The dispute stems from a public release broadcast on two electronic media outlets, which claimed the club had defaulted on player salaries and contractual fees during the previous season.

Furthermore, the governing body imposed a mandatory Rs. 4.5 million deposit on Sri Lions as a prerequisite for participating in future domestic competitions.

Rejecting the allegations, Dr. Perera disclosed that the club spent Rs. 4.2 million on player contracts during its inaugural season while receiving minimal logistical support from the governing body.

The club confirmed it has already released 12 contracted players due to the ongoing dispute, including key backrower Mohamed Nizran, who is currently pursued by rival clubs.

The club management stated it will pursue legal action to seek financial compensation for defamation if the national rugby body refuses to issue a public retracting statement through the same media channels.

Dr. Perera also criticized reported plans by the governing body to reduce the A Division league from nine teams to seven, noting that developing the sport requires expanding the tournament to 14 teams and taking matches to regional outstations.

Should negotiations fail, Sri Lions plans to re-allocate its sports investment portfolio towards domestic netball, hockey, and football, while bringing the administrative impasse to the attention of the Sports Minister.

The Billiards and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka (BSASL) is set to bring together the country's finest cueists when the 6 Red Snooker National Championship 2026, played for the Late Ajwad Hasim Memorial Trophy, gets underway this weekend.

With the continued sponsorship of the MALSHIP Group of Companies, the championship has become one of the most prestigious events on Sri Lanka's cue sports calendar.

The tournament is expected to attract a large number of experienced national players and promising young talent, making this year's competition one of the strongest in recent times.

The championship will commence with the Kandy and Ratnapura District tournaments on 8 and 9 August, followed by the Kegalle, Galle, and Gampaha District tournaments on 15 and 16 August.

These district competitions will determine the players advancing to the national stages of the championship.

The Colombo District Championship, traditionally the largest and most competitive event due to its high number of participants, will be conducted on a later date.

The schedule has been adjusted to accommodate several leading players who are competing in the national selection trials for the Commonwealth Cue Sports Championship, to be held in Ahmedabad, India, from 7 to 11 October 2026.

Sri Lanka will field competitors in Snooker, English Billiards, Pool, and Heyball Pool at the Commonwealth Championship, highlighting the country's continued progress on the international cue sports stage.

The championship also presents an opportunity for emerging players to challenge the country's established stars.

Defending champion I. M. Thaha of Moors Sports Club will return to defend his title after an impressive victory in 2025, while last year's runner-up, H. A. M. Rimzan of YMCA Colombo, is expected to mount another strong challenge.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, officials of the Billiards and Snooker Association of Sri Lanka expressed confidence that the championship would further raise the standard of competitive snooker in the country.

The Association also extended its sincere appreciation to the MALSHIP Group of Companies for its unwavering support in promoting and developing cue sports in Sri Lanka.

With the nation's leading players preparing to battle for the coveted Late Ajwad Hasim Memorial Trophy, spectators can look forward to two weeks of high-quality snooker, fierce competition, and outstanding sportsmanship as the race to crown Sri Lanka's 2026 National 6 Red Snooker Champion begins.

World Cup finalists Argentina could face a FIFA fine after players celebrated their semi-final win over England with a banner declaring the Falkland Islands belonged to Argentina.

After the final whistle in the 2-1 win, several players held up a banner that read: "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", which translates to "The Falklands are Argentine".

Under FIFA rules, "banners, flags, flyers, apparel and other paraphernalia that are of a political, offensive, and/or discriminatory nature" are prohibited inside stadiums.

The sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, which are a British territory in the south Atlantic Ocean about 480km east of Argentina, remains a longstanding source of tension between Argentina and the United Kingdom.

The two countries fought a brief war after Argentina invaded the islands in 1982. The conflict claimed the lives of 649 Argentine and 255 UK soldiers.

The UK won the war and retained control of the territory, with the majority of residents wishing to remain part of the UK.

Argentina continues to claim the territory as its own, arguing it inherited the islands from Spain after gaining independence in 1816, and that the UK seized them in 1833 through an illegal colonial act.

It's unclear how the banner came onto the pitch, but several Argentine players, including Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso, held the banner during post-game celebrations.

FIFA did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

After the match, Argentine vice president Victoria Villarruel posted a tribute to the team on X, alongside a video that appeared to show Argentine soldiers during the Falklands War.

In 2014, FIFA fined the Argentine Football Association about $36,000 after Argentine players held up a similar sign following a friendly win against Slovenia.

Argentina and England have one of football's fiercest rivalries.

The most infamous match was at the 1986 World Cup, just four years after the war, when Diego Maradona scored the controversial "Hand of God" goal by punching the ball into the net with his left fist. Despite England's protests, the goal stood.

Maradona followed it up minutes later with the "goal of the century", helping Argentina to a 2-1 victory. They went on to win the World Cup.

There were plenty of fiery moments during Thursday's semi-final, with 19 fouls in the opening half.

English forward Jude Bellingham also clipped the back of the head of Argentina's Valentin Barco as the two sides exchanged words after the match.

(SBS)