Speaking at the Press Conference held by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka [FFSL], President FFSL, Ranjith Rodrigo, said that Blatter’s presence here will give local football a tremendous boost.
“Mr Blatter’s presence at our 75th anniversary celebrations will give local football a much needed fillip, while the launch of the National Football Trust, the unveiling of the 75th Anniversary logo, presentations to three of our very own ‘Football Legends’ and the launch of a brand new national football team jersey , are all on the cards”.
Chairman of the Organising Committee for Blatters visit, Trevor Reckerman, who is one of the country’s most respected marketing professionals, describing the events scheduled to take place, said that this was an opportune moment for local football to work on and maximize the visit of these dignitaries to enhance and uplift its image.
“During his brief 36 hour visit to Sri Lanka, Blatter will meet with HE President Mahinda Rajapakse, declare open the much anticipated and long awaited Football Stadium in Jaffna, meet with the local football community, and preside over a banquet to celebrate the 75th anniversary of local football”, said Reckerman.
Rodrigo whose vision for local football is to transform the sport from the debacles of the past and make it the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, lifting its standards to be on par with other Asian nations, is determined that football in Sri Lanka receives its due recognition.
“ In the recent past we have made excellent progress in a relatively short time. We are in the process of a significant Restructuring Program which will be concluded before the next term begins in April next year.
We have also been able to attract substantial funding with grants from FIFA & AFC as well as other friendly Member Associations in Asia. The Ministry of Sports has also been extremely supportive.
From the private sector in Sri Lanka, Cargills Ceylon Plc and Dialog Axiata Plc have been in the forefront; in fact the National Partner status that we have forged with Cargills is very far reaching and will in the future link their extensive network with all our affiliated Leagues throughout Sri Lanka “.
Rodrigo who was elected vice president of SAFF in March 2014, has several noteworthy achievements vis a vis cultivating international support for Sri Lankan football during the past one year.
“I have been very fortunate to develop very cordial relations with the FIFA & AFC Presidents as well as the Presidents of our Member Associations in Asia.
The Presidents of Qatar, UAE, Korea, Japan, Thailand, India and so many others have become great friends, helping us and inviting us as never before, to participate in competitions and other important Football events”.
With regards to additional infrastructure that is required both in the short-term and long-term to further develop and finance Sri Lanka football at a national as well as grassroots level, Rodrigo said that good dedicated Football Stadia in all main towns will help accelerate this development process.”
We have a few Football Centers gifted by FIFA which need to be fully harnessed to support this process and attract our youth. We are also examining the feasibility of setting up Football academies that will focus on talented youth players and groom them for national duty in good time.
The lack of good stadia also hinders fund flows, as gates cannot be properly organized. Furthermore, we cannot attract top teams and also train our national squads without such facilities. A herculean task that cannot be solved overnight but certainly a matter of high importance”.
Rodrigo went on to say that football teaches our youth important core values such as leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship. “Football is easily the world’s most popular sport. So I see no reason as to why it cannot be so in Sri Lanka.
To do that we have a lot of work to do and that is my task. Football is a more inclusive sport, relatively cheaper to play, and does not take a long duration; you have a result in 90 minutes.
The world’s biggest leagues have an international following and our youth are switched on. We need to make that connection and make Football attractive and rewarding to our people. That is our Mission”, said Rodrigo.
The history of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka
The FFSL was formed in 1800 by British Servicemen in the major cities such as Colombo, Galle, Kandy and Trincomalee.
• The first Football League is the Colombo Football League (CFL), which was formed in 1911.
• The Colombo City Football League was formed in 1922 in succession of the CFL.
• The Ceylon Football Association was established on 3rd April 1939 in order to develop the sport island wide.
• In 1950, The Ceylon Football Association became a member of FIFA and in 1969 of the AFC
• The Ceylon Football Association was re-structured and recognized as the Football Federation of Sri Lanka in 1982.
• Ranjit Rodrigo was elected uncontested as the 24th President of FFSL with the unanimous approval of the 49 Football Leagues in Sri Lanka
• 549 soccer clubs are registered with the FFSL, representing 49 affiliated leagues island wide.
• Consequently, Football is played in 420 schools from various parts of Sri Lanka.
• Football is one of the most popular team sports, perhaps second only to cricket in Sri Lanka.
Pictured : Ranjit Rodrigo – President FFSL, Trevor Reckerman – Chairman Organising Committee FFSL, Anura De Silva – CEO FFSL, Upali Hewage – Secretary FFSL