Speaking at the Press Conference held by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka [FFSL] on 2 December, Blatter said he was delighted to be back in Sri Lanka on such a momentous occasion which was a celebration of several landmark events in Sri Lanka’s football history, including the FFSL’s 75th anniversary, the opening of the Jaffna Stadium, the launch of the National Football Jersey and the honouring of 3 Icons in Sri Lankan football.
“ I was last in Sri Lanka in 2005 and I am delighted to be back again in your beautiful country. This is my third visit to Sri Lanka and I see a tremendous amount of development has taken place. The opening of the Jaffna Stadium is a significant achievement and FIFA is confident that this will serve to further develop football in Sri Lanka”.
Blatter who met with HE President Mahinda Rajapakse, prior to flying out to Jaffna to declare open the much anticipated and long awaited Jaffna Football Stadium, said he had a cordial meeting with President Rajapakse. “
Your President HE Mahinda Rajapakse renewed his assurance to support the development of local football when we met him this morning and of course FIFA and AFC will always stand behind you, guiding and channeling our resources to help Sri Lanka develop the game and bring its social benefits to your youth”.
Shaik Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President AFC, said it gave him great pleasure to be in Sri Lanka on the occasion of the FFSL’s 75th anniversary. “The AFC has a cordial relationship with the FFSL and we look forward to the development of Sri Lankan football to international standards”.
President FFSL Ranjit Rodrigo, addressing the gathering said, “very soon, we plan to launch what will be the first professional football league in Sri Lanka. On an initiative of Hon. Namal Rajapakse, an agreement has been reached with the Hambantota Sports Club to launch the Carlton Football League comprising of 9 Provincial Teams that will feature Sri Lanka’s top football talent”.
Rodrigo went on to say that the FFSL will also be engaging with the community via the UN AIDS programme. “UN AIDS is global organization working on AIDS and there is a global solidarity between HIV and football under the “Protect the Goal Campaign”. FIFA is very supportive of this worldwide initiative and we will launch this programme in Sri Lanka today with Mr Blatter ”.
Chairman of the Organising Committee of the FFSL, Trevor Reckerman said that Mr Blatter’s presence, along with that of Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, President of the AFC and other dignitaries, has given a tremendous morale boost to the young footballers of Sri Lanka.
“The launching of the special Football Jersey by our young footballers who will walk the catwalk for the very first time, as opposed to the football field, as well as the sheer might of FIFA here in Sri Lanka, is an impetus to all aspiring footballers”.
The FFSL will also launch , the Football Trust which will be an independent fund managed by respected trustees to address special football related programmes of benefit to local players.
Rodrigo was eloquent in his appreciation of their corporate partners.
“The Football Federation was indeed very fortunate to forge a national partnership with Cargills which covers the gamut of activities designed to improve the economic status of players and thereby lift local standards.
An opportunity to link our 65 Football Leagues with the 250 strong Foodcity network across the island is something I believe will be unique in the annals of Sri Lankan Football and I would like to take this opportunity to place on record our thanks to Mr. Ranjit Page for his vision and courage in choosing to support Football.
To our other partners, notably Dialog who have over the years promoted the premier local tournament the Champions League and Plenty Foods who have focused on the youth segment with the Samaposha Trophy competition, we owe a debt of gratitude”.
The FFSL is composed of 65 Regional Leagues which are being reorganized with FIFA’s assistance.
President FFSL, Ranjit 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, underlined his determination to ensure that football in Sri Lanka receives its due recognition.
“I have been successful in developing 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”.
Blatter concluded his whirlwind tour of Sri Lanka, promising to do his utmost to promote local football. “Football is easily the world’s most popular sport. So I see no reason as to why it cannot be so in Sri Lanka.
In order to achieve that the FFSL has my assurance that FIFA will always stand behind them. Football is a more inclusive sport, relatively cheaper to play, and does not take a long duration; you have a result in 90 minutes. I urge all of you to take to football and look forward to the day when Sri Lanka competes internationally”!
Pictured : Ranjit Rodrigo – President FFSL, Joseph "Sepp" Blatter – Presiden FIFA, President of the Asian Football Confederation [ AFC ] Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa.
