MORE than six soccer teams showcased resilience as they braved the rainy conditions to compete in the Senior Gala Tournament at the Badulla sports ground in Merebank on March 15.

Despite the inclement weather, teams put on a thrilling display of skill and determination throughout the weekend.

Also read: Local teams lock horns in soccer tournament

Pascals FC won the tournament and were crowned the champions of the 2025 Senior Gala Tournament at the finals held on March 16. They played against Parks United, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. However, Pascals FC defeated Parks United in the penalty shootout, securing a 5-4 victory.

The teams battled it out on the muddy sports fields throughout the day, while fans cheered on their favourites. Saturday afternoon culminated in a surge of excitement as the teams that had qualified for the next stage prepared for the highly anticipated finals.

Also read: Soccer teams shine in ground-breaking friendly matches

In other games, Celtic FC delivered an impressive performance, defeating Warriors FC 2-0 ahead of the finals.

Deputy chairperson of the Merewent Football Association, Sagie Naidoo, said the association is preparing to host junior soccer games soon.

However, he urged all the interested players to register ahead of time to ensure their participation. Naidoo said the aim of these tournaments is to foster a soccer culture at the grassroots level and ensure youth participation across all sports.

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