Sri Lanka will launch its first football National Youth League, branded as Y19, this July.
Sponsored by the Lyca Gnanam Foundation (LGF) in partnership with Sri Lanka Football (SLF), the league will run through July, August, and September, with the final phase in December.
The announcement was made at a press conference held at the Taj Samudra Hotel in Colombo yesterday (28).
The league will feature teams from 55 cities, involving around 11,000 players, 2,500 club officials, and over 1,000 coaches and referees.
In its final phase, 24 district teams will compete, supported by international brands.
Approximately Rs 50 million will be spent for this event.
Eight leagues will be chosen from last year’s Silver Cup and Gold Cup talents.
SLF aims to secure the South Asian Football Championship by incorporating professional players and coaching staff.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to elevate Sri Lankan football.
A key focus is the development of youth football into a professional format, aimed at discovering and nurturing new talent.
Two major youth competitions, especially the Under-19 league, are central to this goal.
The Lyca Gnanam Foundation, founded in 2010 by Alliraja Subaskaran, is committed to empowering youth through football in every district.
This partnership with SLF marks the start of a well-planned long-term journey to make football a popular sport across all communities.
LGF has a strong track record in conducting social programmes in all 25 districts, focusing on health, education, agriculture, and youth empowerment for both men and women.
The competition will be powered by strategic partners LGF, ShiftX, and other media and corporate brands, making the game accessible to all.
The media launch and a grand opening ceremony are expected in July.
