FFSL holds back two tournaments
View(s):On an inquiry made by the Sunday Times, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) disclosed that it had to hold back two competitions until the end of September. Rukmal Perera, the Director Media and Marketing of FFSL told the Sunday Times that due to he international commitments of the national team, who are in Thailand at present on the way to Nepal for the South Asian Football
FFSL FA Cup, will kick off in October in spite of the football officials failing to secure a sponsor for the competition
Federation (SAFF) Cup, the FFSL has temporarily delayed the second round commencement of the Dialog Champions League 2013. The Dialog Champions League 2013 kicked off in the first week of May and its first round came to an end with the end of July. The second round was supposed to begin from the last weekend of July but so far the stage has failed to launch.
“The FFSL has decided to delay the beginning of DCL 2013 second round in mid September because teams have lost the services of their key players who are in Thailand for training prior to the SAFF Cup which begins from September 1 in Kathmandu, Nepal,” said Perera brushing off it had any involvement with the recent incidents that is taking place in the FFSL hierarchy.
In addition Perera confirmed that the much sought-after knockout football tournament which is played throughout the country including north and east provinces, the FFSL FA Cup, will kick off in October in spite of the football officials failing to secure a sponsor for the competition. But Perera said a keen sponsor has already confirmed its commitment for the FA Cup which is the much awaited competitions in Sri Lanka foorball.
“We have almost finalised with a true national partner for the FA Cup. We are highly convinced and excited of the commitment of this sponsorship who are eager to enhance football in Sri Lanka.”
According to reports the FA Cup was scheduled to begin from September 1 as per the annual event calendar of FFSL but Perera stated that this tournament has no permanent slot in the FFSL competition calendar.
“We have had this tournament in March, April and November also. It had been the practice to avoid the national team’s commitments because the clubs have invested in national players whose services are imminent for the performance of the clubs.”
“Most of the clubs prefer to wait till the end of national team commitments which is mandatory for the FFSL and then have a free-flowing tournament,” Perera said.
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