It was a packed house at Golden Pond of Taj Samudra with Media, Club officials and Football Federation Officials who were at the launch ceremony of Dialog Champions League 2014.
The Dialog Champions League this year will have 21 teams competiting with over 219 matches to be played in 16 venues including Anuradapura,Ratnapura,Nawalapitiya,Matara, Kurunegala, Negombo , Kalutara ,Colombo City ,Kelaniya ,Baddagana ,Wennapuwa, CR &FC etc.
New comers who won the Premier Division I tournament Thihariya Youth and the runner up Crystal Palace from Gampola joins the Big League. This is the 10th version of the Dialog Champions League and the defending champions are Air Force while Renown became runners up at the last years Dialog Champions League in front of over 15,000 crowds at Kalutara.
Ranjith Rodrigo addressing the gathering expressed his gratitude for Dialog for the valuable sponsorship and continuation of the same for 10th year. He said that the fulfilling of challenges in conducting in a professional manner with FIFA style countdown is challenging for FFSL and it is the duty of the clubs to keep the rhythm of the game for the benefit of players, fans, sponsors and football in general.
He said the tournament kick off period is very timely where the World Football Fever still on the mindset of people and the Messis, Nehmas, Ronaldos have created massive impact for football all over the country as never before with the FIFA world cup and the Big leagues around the world in EPL, Bundas lIga will continue the trends with Dialog Champions League too creating impact locally for the game.
He further said that with the assistance of world football leaders he has managed to secure some funds for the benefits of the clubs and are willing to grant Rs, 500,000 for each club except for 2 new and services teams.
Rodrigo together with Harsha Samaranayeka the Head of Brands and Media Dialog Axiata gave away the grant accordingly.
The Air Force captain for 2013 Dilshan Fernando who were the champions of Dialog Champions and Captain for 2014 Chandu De Silva brought in the Dialog Champions Trophy to the podium.
Harsha Samaranayeka the Head of Brands and Media Dialog Axiata thanked FFSL for the opportunity to reach masses with a sport loved by all over the world and Sri Lanka. This tournament has a colorful history with Dialog sponsoring for 10 years and happily continuing it.
Trevor Reckerman, the Chairman Marketing FFSL outlined the DCL 2014 and Tournament regulations and said to assist to deliver what we have promised to our sponsors to keep them happy and alive.