The S1 League (Sinhala: එස්1 ලීගය; Tamil: எஸ்1 லீக்), or simply S1, also known as Sri Lanka Champions League, is the second tier division of the Sri Lankan football league system. It was succeeded by the professional Sri Lanka Super League which serves as the first division.[1] Until 2019, it was sponsored by Dialog Axiata and was thus officially known as the Dialog Champions League.
 | |
| Founded | 1985 (as Colombo Football League) |
|---|---|
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Confederation | AFC |
| Number of teams | 18 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Relegation to | S2 League |
| Domestic cup(s) | Sri Lanka FA Cup |
| Current champions | Matara City (1st title) |
| Most championships | Saunders SC (12 titles) |
| TV partners | Football Sri Lanka TV |
| Website | football |
The league was conducted in various formats. Apart from the league system, a playoff stage was included in 2013–14 season. Currently, 18 clubs are participating in the tournament. Saunders have won the most titles in the league, winning 12 titles. Rathnam have won the title 5 times, Renown 4 times, and Colombo 3 times. In recent times, different clubs have been able to win the championship title.
History
editThe competition was started in 1985 and it was held every year. The 2016 Sri Lanka Football Premier League is the 32nd season of the Sri Lanka Football league. The tournament was conducted in various formats. Apart from the league system a playoff stage was included in the 2013–14 season. Currently 18 clubs participate in the tournament. Saunders are the most time champion with 12 titles. Rathnam have won the title five times and Renown four times. In recent times different clubs have been able to win the championship title. Colombo have won the title three times and are the current champions.
Competition format
editIn the current structure of the league 18 clubs compete for the title. In the first stage the teams are divided into two groups of nine. Those teams compete in a round robin format. The best four teams from each group qualify for the Championship Stage. In that stage the 8 teams compete in a round robin format and the group winner is the champion of the season. The bottom two teams of each group in the first stage are relegated to the Division I.
Qualification for international competitions
editThe champion of the league will earn the chance to play in the AFC Cup tournament which is organized by Asian Football Confederation. Also they qualify for the SAFF Club Championship. However the title holders didn't compete in any of the above competitions until 2014. The first team to play in the AFC Cup was Colombo FC, which won the title in 2015.
Previous winners
editChampions so far:[2]
| Season | Champions | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|
| Colombo Football League | ||
| 1985 | Saunders SC | York SC |
| 1986 | Saunders SC | |
| 1987 | Saunders SC | |
| 1988 | Old Bens SC | |
| Sri Lanka Bristol League | ||
| 1989 | Saunders SC | |
| 1990 | Renown SC | |
| 1991 | Saunders SC | Ratnam SC |
| 1992 | Saunders SC | |
| 1993 | Renown SC | |
| 1994 | Renown SC | |
| 1995 | Pettah United SC | |
| 1996 | Saunders SC | |
| 1997 | Saunders SC | |
| 1997–98 | Ratnam SC | |
| 1998–99 | Saunders SC | |
| Sri Lanka Premier League | ||
| 1999–00 | Ratnam SC | |
| 2000–01 | Saunders SC | Negambo Youth |
| 2001–02 | Saunders SC | Negambo Youth |
| 2002–03 | Negambo Youth | |
| 2003–04 | Blue Star SC | Ratnam SC |
| 2004–05 | Saunders SC | Ratnam SC |
| 2005–06 | Negambo Youth | Ratnam SC |
| 2006–07 | Ratnam SC | Blue Star SC |
| 2007–08 | Ratnam SC | |
| 2008–09 | Army SC | Ratnam SC |
| Sri Lanka Champions League | ||
| 2009–10 | Renown SC | Air Force SC |
| 2010–11 | Don Bosco SC | Army SC |
| 2011–12 | Ratnam SC | Army SC |
| 2013–14 | Air Force SC | Ratnam SC |
| 2014–15 | Solid SC | Colombo FC |
| 2015–16 | Colombo FC[3] | Renown SC |
| 2016–17 | Colombo FC | Renown SC |
| 2017–18 | Colombo FC | Renown SC |
| 2018–19 | Defenders | Colombo FC |
| 2019–22 | Not held | |
| 2022–23 | Matara City | Javalane |
Most championships
editThe number of national championships that clubs in Sri Lanka have attained.
| Club |
Number of Championships |
|---|---|
| Saunders SC | 12 |
| Ratnam SC | 5 |
| Renown SC | 4 |
| Colombo FC | 3 |
| Negambo Youth | 2 |
| Defenders (previously Army SC) | 2 |
| Old Bens SC | 1 |
| Pettah United SC | 1 |
| Blue Star SC | 1 |
| Don Bosco SC | 1 |
| Air Force SC | 1 |
| Solid SC | 1 |
| Matara City | 1 |
Sponsorship
editThe title sponsor of the current season in Dialog. So the league is known as Dialog Champions League. Other than dialog Cargills also sponsor the previous events. The official ball is supplied by Molten. The official broadcast partner is Football Sri Lanka TV.
Stadiums
edit
Most of the clubs in this league haven't any FIFA Standard Stadiums. So most of the matches are played in the 25,000-capacity Sugathadasa Stadium and Kelaniya Football Complex. Some clubs play their matches in their home stadiums which are located in Colombo, Anuradhapura, Kelaniya and Kalutara.
Topscorers
edit| Year | Best scorers | Team | Goals |
| 2003–04 |  M.A.M. Farzeen |
Blue Star SC | 19 |
| 2006–07 | Kasun Jayasuriya |
Ratnam SC | 24 |
| 2007–08 | Kasun Jayasuriya |
Ratnam SC | 12 |
| 2008–09 | Kasun Jayasuriya |
Renown SC | 13 |
| 2009–10 | Mohamed Fazal |
Renown SC | 14 |
| 2014–15 | Mohamed Izzadeen |
Army SC | 26 |
| 2015 | M.C.M. Rifnaz[3] |
Renown SC | 9 |
| 2016–17 |  Job Micheal |
Renown SC | 11 |
| 2017–18 | Job Micheal |
Renown SC | 19 |
References
edit- ^ "Sri Lanka takes first steps towards establishing professional league". FIFA. 17 February 2022. Archived from the original on 8 July 2022. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
- ^ "Sri Lanka – List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2012.
- ^ a b "Colombo FC wins Dialog Champions League". 6 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 September 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2016.