Jaswer Umar the president of Football Sri Lanka (FSL) revealed some startling facts about the game at an Extraordinary Congress that was held in Katunayake yesterday.
He said that out of the 22 million people in Sri Lanka only 35,000 which is 0.15 per cent, played football from a youth population of 4.5 million making up 0.77 per cent in the game.
Umar stressed that this game which is the most popular in the world has to grow in Sri Lanka and said he will provide one million rupees annually to each of the 55 Leagues that exist all over the country.
With this money the leagues have to conduct tournaments at all levels. He also stressed that there were not enough grounds for the players and FSL was is in the process of developing two grounds in close proximity to Colombo as an immediate step.
He wanted the leagues to start grooming the youth by conducting league tournaments around the country.
Umar also said that there was a rise in women’s football teams as most of them became interested in pursuing the game although there was a decline during the Covid 19 pandemic period.
A coaching school will also be set up in May according to Umar who noted there was a depreciation of referees in some areas and hopes to begin a referees’ institution to uplift standards.
Sri Lanka is expected to participate in eight international tournaments this year alone and the national squad for these tournaments will be the squad that was picked last year while a foreign coach from England is listed to take over.
FSL appointed judicial bodies at yesterday’s Congress without much opposition that will move into action with immediate effect as a colossal amount of money will be spent on various development and competition projects according to Umar.
