The way cross – kick lost its punch
View(s):By Subhani Hassimdeen – Former National Football Captain and National Coach
It is between the 1950s and 1970s that the game of football became the house hold name in our country. Local clubs in the calibre of Saunders S.C, Java Lane S.C, Colpetty United F.C, Old Joes S.C, Victory S.C, Sunrice F.C, Ratnam F.C, Black Square F.C, Eeven Youngsters S.C, Old Bens, Sunny Mount S.C, York S.C, Pettah United F.C, Maligawatha Youth F.C, and to name a few held the lions share in the game in the formative years.
The FFSL administrators are not focusing on improving the standards of football by conducting the tournaments properly through clubs and the leagues which are the main source from where national players are produced. - File pic.
It is only natural that these clubs held the lions share of the game in its formative years, even to this day, because Colombo’s hold to football is heavily loaded in its favour understandably it is due to the facilities and the technical know-how it is blessed with. However, the contribution made for promotion and development of the game by the outstation clubs have been indeed significant. If not for them, the game would never have receive the impetus it needed and popular mass support for the very existence of the sport in the provinces.
From in the outstation, clubs such as Madyama Lanka and Sunrise from Kandy, Trinco Olympic, Singing Fish – Batticaloa, YMCA – Jaffna, Peligans – Kurunagalle, Southern and Gamini – Galle, Gampola United, St Mary’s – Chilaw, Bolten FC- Puttalam, Jupiters, Young Bees and Negombo Youths from Negombo, St. Mary’s Nawalapitiya, Green Field – Kalutara, St. Mary’s – Kegalle, YMMA and Old Dhutians from Badulla, Old Joes – Anuradhapura, Old Joes – Bandarawela and to name a few hold their own against the fancied Colombo, clubs.
It is in this background that the 1955 soccer season opened with the tradition CFA cup competition, taking precedence over everything else in the Football Calendar Eighty seven clubs were in the fray, and the competition was wide open with more than twenty equally strong outfits from Colombo and outstations vying for soccer richest plum.
There were many other football clubs of lesser prominence both in Colombo and the outstations, which contributed immensely to the growth of the game and not for their combined efforts football would not enjoy today, the popularity and mass support it abundantly has.
The mid fifties were indeed the green years of local football. The game had spread it tentacles to every city and town, undisputedly holding the number one slot amongst other major sports disciplines. Technically the performing standard was appreciably high and organizationally, the sport was methodical and meaningful.
The local soccer scenario glittered in splendour, with competition both within clubs and the affiliated leagues in full swing. Players and officials were stretched to the limit under obviously very demanding circumstances. Yet such sweat and toil was not in vain – for it was the game that matters after all.
While matches in Colombo drew more than 20,000 to 30,000 fans, the outstation fields were equally with large crowds. What is the true position now? Football once the popular sports which packed the field with thousand and thousands of spectators has come to a situation where first division matches are played with only the players, club officials and the referees, hardly with few of their supporters.
It is elementary to know that crowd pay without reservation to witness quality football and not the average or the ordinary football. Unfortunately our football is now far from what it was in the 1950s and 1960s in terms of quality, techniques, skills and tactics. Even in the fundamentals such as stamina, strength and speed, we have a long way to go.
The deteriorated of football and its quality commenced with the old order yielding to the new. New traits of some of those who are called to guide the destines of the game has darken the picture, causing immeasurable harm to the sport. Today the spectre of the putrid sport climate is right before our eyes.
How did this slump come our way? What are the reason or cause for great clubs either to fold up or ineffective? Gone are those vibrant and famous football clubs and football leagues which once served the sport so assiduously. While some are literally dead many others are ineffective.
The FFSL administrators are not focusing on improving the standards of football by conducting the football tournaments properly through clubs and the leagues which are the main source from where national players are produced. Instead focusing only on building up good relationship with some of the leagues where they have planted their eye – men and in turn give them minor berths on foreign tours, simply to secure their top seats in the Controlling Body.
The 2012 FA Cup Knockout Final was held in Nawalapitiya in July 2012. Upto date the FFSL has failed to conduct the Inter Club Super League Tournament for the year 2012. Four prominent clubs, the three services teams and the Police were to fray for the prestige plum in local soccer. Couple of these clubs have spend colossal sum of money to hire foreign and local players in addition to provide them with accommodations, nourishments, football gears, transport and ground facilities. Having spend so much their players have played only four matches for the whole season – that is in the FA Cup Competition. The Club organizers are now seriously thinking whether it is worth spending money for a sport there is no return or satisfaction. I am afraid if this trend continues, even these few clubs too will give up playing football and the FFSL will be left with the three services and Police to participate in the tournament they conduct. It is not surprising the sponsors too are reluctant to invest – now on a sport which has no quality and poor spectator participation.
When National Tournaments are not conducted according to the annual football calendar and our national teams pitifully and disgracefully in the lowest spot in the regional competition. Why those who occupy the executive seats in the World Controlling Body and Asian Bodies not taking any responsibility or make relevant comments in this regard? Rather palm the baby to others. This obviously shows their selfishness and un- patriotic attitude. Is it the personal glory and benefits that matters!
It is always good for the sport if the comments and criticism made by others is taken as a mode of advice and assistance, rather shout and boast from the roof top on their personal achievements, while the common man’s sport has hit the rock bottom in the last few decades.
This unfortunate phenomenon started in the nineteen eighties with the quality of leadership and competence diminishing conspicuously in the Controlling Body. Person with vested interest, eager to fan their ego and through this great sport go up the social ladder, totally ruined the game now beyond resurrection. All this was taking place while sadly most of the clubs and Leagues were for all purpose dead. To this day, the situation has not changed and will not in the foreseeable future unless and until there is a drastic change in the all administration of the Controlling Body, retaining a few who has the technical knowledge, experience and competence.
Unless and until the Hon. Minister of Sports take appropriate steps to resurrect, re constitute the Football Federation, there is no way to the sport, to come out from the woods.
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