I believe in God and I believe in myself says Football Chief Sri Ranga
Beleaguered football chief Sri Ranga says that he is the keeper of the goalposts and know exactly how to defend the many moves that he sees developing up-field by players who have no worthwhile agenda, but to creep into the administration to plunder what is left in its coffers.
He said this was not a new phenomenon and went on to explain that this has been the sad history of Football Federation Sri Lanka (FFSL) since the early 90’s; that’s over 30 years of daylight robbery. He said that those who worked as a team to support his candidature had the notion that he stood at the last election to assume the Presidency for five months in a caretaker role for so-called playmakers.
“That was a major mistake,” Ranga asserted. “That would have let down many football lovers who wanted to see a quantum change, not the same old wine in new bottles”.
He said to put football in a new footing, he has to first appeal to FIFA to overturn the suspension and offer FFSL a new lease of life. He is confident, that can be done. FIFA demands must be met and aligned with the Sports Law. His close relationship with Sports Ministry officials will help, he believes.
If it is in the interest of sports, he is pretty sure that the Sports Minister will relent and cooperate, to let the road map already drawn and agreed, take shape.
He says the game must go on, the players must benefit and the fans must come to celebrate. He is of the view that it is the grassroots that must be given priority and his intention is to work closely with the Sri Lanka Schools Football Association (SLSFA) to set that plan in motion. Alongside that reality, he believes that the Provincial Leagues must be fully activated and football taken far and wide; not remain confined within the city clubs!
An immediate need that cannot be ignored is that many fraudulent activity has taken place over the years at FFSL. One administration after another has tried to surpass the other in siphoning funds for their personal benefit and popular political events. Carnival football without the serious intent of a holistic technical improvement had come to stay. A few players have made the cut and managed to secure overseas contracts, but for many players, menial jobs in the backstreets of Colombo and other cities, is where they ply their humble trades.
President Sri Ranga is determined that this must change. He will appeal to FIFA that whatever the plans for the future, it must address that critical element. For too long, the focus has been on globe-trotting, desert camel rides and the glamour of wine and song, in far flung football fiefdoms.
No one he muses, decries the enjoyment the sport brings, but when it serves to only supplant the glitter and not pursue performance on the pitch, then the cookie crumbles. At an abysmal FIFA ranking at present, what more can one say? Who is responsible for this state of affairs; who contributed to this dismal record and brought disgrace to Sri Lanka? These are questions to which he insists, answers must be found without delay. The primary FIFA demand for a review and adoption of the statues that they recommended, began in 2014, so what are the people who are beating their chest now, trying to say. One football official, President Ranga points out, who has been a long time Vice President and President and has overlooked FFSL finances for several years, is circulating a list of requirements that must be done overnight.
“I have goals to score but not what they want to see. I will work with all those wellmeaning people to rewrite this sport and bring it in line with the traditions, that we must emulate,” he said.
“And if some think, I am here for an interim period, I must tell them, I will contest next election and leave after putting the house in order”.
“That was a major mistake,” Ranga asserted. “That would have let down many football lovers who wanted to see a quantum change, not the same old wine in new bottles”.