The newly appointed Minister of Sports Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara made a brief visit to the Sri Lanka Football Federation, just two days after being appointed.
The Minister of Sports was warmly welcomed by the staff of FFSL including the President Mr.Anura Silva and Secretary Mr.Balendra Anthony.
After briefing Minister Jayasekara on the structure and process of FFSL, President Anura Silva brought forward the main issue the federation currently faces. The issue is being, the Ministry of Education and the Federation not working as closely as they should be, with the support from the Sports Ministry.
Hon. Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara favorably responded to this matter by assuring the FFSL that he will meet with all directors of sports from all schools island wide and discuss this subject more thoroughly. With the South Asian Games coming around the corner, the minister also pointed out that he will be providing his fullest and utmost support to the national team players to try and win a medal for the nation.
“I am pleased to note that the FFSL structure is in order and it looks very comprehensive to develop Football in Sri Lanka and also happy to state that your professionalization in administration is much greater than many of the sports bodies I have visited so far,” said the newly appointed Minister of Sports Hon. Dayasiri Jayasekara addressing the Football family at the Federation.
“I’m here to always support you; not to pull you back or be a hindrance to you” said the minister to the utter satisfaction of the FFSL board.
He further said that he is aware of the disastrous situation of the Sugathadasa Stadium which is the one and only International stadium and detailed that no sport could be played at the prevailing conditions. The Minister stressed that his short term objective and challenge is to get many medals in the coming South Asian Games in January in India and requested the FFSL to plan and implement a results oriented programme to win a medal for Football.
Continuing he elaborated that when the Sports are archiving its success the country appreciates the Sports Minister and when they are not performing to expectations the public criticize the minister and the image of the minister is tarnished. He welcomes the team effort and he too will be happy to be an active member in the team work to take Football in to desired level to reach success.
He further said that he will convene a meeting in the next week for all regional Sports Directors, officials of Education Ministry and his ministry to discuss the best methodology to be implemented to create an impact and develop sports in schools as if the schools do not produce youth players the country will never have future for sports.
Anura De Silva stressed the point that the grounds that is available for Football is not adequate especially in Colombo as most of grounds which was dedicated for football in the past had been taken over for development and now the teams do not have proper grounds for training and matches etc. At his presentation he informed the Minister that FIFA is funding for first ever Artificial Football pitch to be placed in Baddagana for the National Team training Centre.
