PLAN TO MAKE FOOTBALL NUMBER ONE SPORT BY 2020:RODRIGO
“My aim is to make football the most popular sport in the country by the year 2020. My group will work towards this goal unceasingly,” Ranjith Rodrigo, the presidential candidate for the Football Federation of Sri Lanka stated at a press conference.
“The election of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka is due to take place on July 1 and my group is ready to face it,” Ranjith Rodrigo said, at the press briefing held at the Colombo Swimming Club on Wednesday.
All who were in Rodrigo’s group were present at the press briefing.
“No sooner we come into power,we will launch this project to make football the most popular sport in the island. There are talented players, coaches and referees in the North, East and Uva provinces and we aim to get them upto national level.
“We will see that all administration is constructed according to FIFA and AFC rules. We will see that no one is encouraged due to friendship. Especially the posts of Chief Executive Officer, Director Media and Director Competitions.
“After I come into power, I will conduct a workshop involving administrative officers, league officials, coaches, veteran players and the media. I plan to get their ideas to launch a special plan to encourage football at all levels.
“This is my last term. I will not come forward for football administration afterwards. I will not forget football. I plan to go to my home front Negombo and work towards encouraging football there.
“At one time Sri Lanka received funds from Japan and South Korea to develop football.now these funds have ceased. We will try to get these funds back.
“Presently football is drifting aimlessly. Competitions are not being held as planned. In Sri Lanka’s 78 year history,
No sooner we come into power,we will launch this project to make football the most popular sport in the island. There are talented players, coaches and referees in the North, East and Uva provinces
the country has only won two international tournaments. In 1995 we won the SAFF Gold Cup. In 2000 we were champions in the Maldive Islands Golden Jubilee competition. All football administrators should take the blame for this.
“Two years ago five national pools were formed.there is no such pool at present. Even though we pay a salary for a national football coach, there is no national pool. We plan to eradicate this in future and to put football back on its pedestal. Football is dead in Sri Lanka. Even FIFA has recognised our plight.
“The FIFA and AFC are aware of our situation,” Rodrigo concluded.
Vice Presidential candidate Retd. DIG K.P.P. Pathirana and Secretarial candidate Trevor Reckerman expressed their views at the press briefing as well.