Sports Minister Meets Sri Lanka U-15 Football Team at FIFA World Cup Festival in Baku

Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage met Sri Lanka’s Under-15 national football team in Baku, Azerbaijan, where the young players are participating in the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival.

The minister was accompanied by Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar during the visit, which aimed to encourage the players and recognise their participation in the international event.

Gamage spoke with the young footballers about the importance of gaining international experience and developing their skills through exposure to different footballing cultures.

He said the tournament offered the players a valuable opportunity to learn and compete in an international football environment at an early age, encouraging them to pursue their ambitions of becoming professional footballers.

The event, which runs from October 24 to 30 in Baku, brings together youth teams from around the world. It is designed to provide young players with international match experience while promoting football development and interaction between different countries.

National Sports Council Chairman Priyantha Ekanayake also attended the visit and observed matches held earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, the FFSL is planning to organise similar football festivals in cities across Sri Lanka to encourage more children to take part in organised football, identify emerging talent and prepare young players for future international competitions.

The federation aims to strengthen football development from grassroots level through continued investment in youth participation and international exposure.

Sri Lanka’s participation in the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival marks an opportunity for the country’s young footballers to gain valuable experience on the international stage.