Ratnam FC pulls out of Dialog Champions League 2014
Ratnam Football Club, one of Sri Lanka’s elite and productive football clubs with a history of over half a century, has faced a severe cash drought, forcing them to pull out of the Dialog Champions League (DCL) 2014 football competition which kicked off yesterday. The news of Ratnam FC’s sudden pullout was made public by Ranjith Rodrigo, the president of Football Federation of Sri Lanka at the launch of the DCL 2014, surprising many football lovers.
As the possession of the ball is lost in the picture will Ratnam FC (in blue) lose all its players when they hope for a comeback in DCL 2015 - File pic
Ratnam FC has been frontrunners of the domestic football circuit, winning several championships in addition to providing players to the national stream. Unfortunately as M.Z. Sinhawansa — the general secretary of the club who stepped down from the position three months ago – revealed the situation reached a point that the club officials had no other options than to make a plea to the FFSL to release them from the DCL 2014 this season.
“Initially, the club was running out of cash and the focus was totally on attracting sponsors for the DCL 2014 which was eventually a failure. Because of the desperation to make ourselves fully geared up with a sponsorship, we could not focus on our usual pre-preparation programmes. We had no other options than to make an official appeal to the FFSL to release Ratnam FC for this season. This actually happened about three months ago,” confirmed Sinhawansa.
The FFSL chief also validated that it had officially received an appeal, which prompted to reduce the number of teams competing in the DCL 2014 one less, to 21. Rodrigo however stated that the FFSL committee is yet to discuss on the request and a decision will be made on this very soon.
“They (Ratnam FC) have explained on the reasons of their pullout for this season. The reasons are reasonable and it’s very sad to learn a strong football club is failing to attract sponsors. They have promised of their return next season and considering all facts I think Ratnam FC needs everyone’s support at this moment. Anyway, an official reply will be made by FFSL within a matter of days,” Rodrigo stated.
The Sunday Times reliably learns that with the weakening financial position Ratnam FC officials had released its players, which does not guarantee them of a strong team if they make a comeback next season. The club at present has none other than its name and documentations with almost all the officials deciding to leave. The last man standing, Hurley Sylvera, the president of Ratnam FC too has temporarily abandoned ship by leaving the country last month.
Since Ratnam FC lost its sponsorship provided by former FA Cup sponsors, Holcim Cement, the club has been running on personal funds of its president Sylvera and the general secretary Sinhawansa. According to Sinhawansa, the club needs approximately Rs. 2million to run a season with all facilities and contracts offered to its players. Even without recruiting foreign players Ratnam FC has won the DCL thrice – in 2006, 2007 and 2011 – and a number of domestic titles including three Champion of Champion titles, five FA Cup titles and numerous other championships. They also qualified thrice to compete in the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup and reached the semi-final stage once.2
“Ratnam FC always relied on local talent and we have never run short of skillful players during my tenure as general secretary for 11 years. From the moment we ink the contract with players, the club provide them all sporting gear, other facilities and a salary, starting from Rs. 7,500 per month. The amount varies according to the category of the player. I, as the general secretary, was able to manage the funds we had in a manner that players were never burdened or even made to feel. But lately as the club failed to gather financially, individuals gradually made their way out. Ultimately it was Mr. Sylvera and I who were left with the players. Because of the failure of the club we didn’t want them to suffer so we granted them the release to play for other clubs,” Sinhawansa, who adamantly stated his unwillingness to take up the position if offered, stated.
According to insiders majority of the players from Ratnam, have joined Super Sun FC. Though Ratnam FC anticipates in making a grand return in the next DCL season, it is unclear if the players would return in full. However Ratnam FC will appear in the upcoming competitions other than the DCL 2014 with the immediate tournament being the FC Cup. Ratnam FC was also one of the recipients of the Rs. 500,000 grant provided by the FFSL and with the funds they are hoping to field a young team for the FA Cup, it is said.