Could we wish a Happy New Year for Sports in Sri Lanka?
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Being the president of a sport body, notably of FFSL is of high privilege and perks, when it comes to global events such as the FIFA World Cup, where the chief is treated as VIP
The Ministry of Sports (MoS) has stumbled from one calamity to another with the genial Minister led down the garden path by advisors and powerful party men whose determination to govern Sri Lankan politics remains a specter of ruin that this island nation has suffered for long. The new regulations are taking its toll while a new Sports Act hangs like the ‘Sword of Damocles’ above the heads of our sports fraternity.
The National Olympic Committee (NOC) President pointed out the serious setbacks that Sri Lanka will face in the future if this trajectory is not contained and reversed in the future. But the Minister has rejected the calls and taken umbrage at both the Olympians and the Footballers, citing serious irregularities, not without reason.
We will take football as a prime example of what should never have taken place in any sports organisation in the country. While the world sings praises about the wizardry of Lionel Messi, who lifted the World Cup in Qatar and mourns the sad passing away of the all-time great, the impressionable Pele, we remain stuck in the morass of utter despair. The Minister rightly pointed out that whatever action FIFA takes will not matter as Sri Lanka remains firmly entrenched at the bottom of the world football ranking. What an indictment from the man who is charged with overseeing sports in our country?
Social media is shamefully awash with claims and counter claims confronting the gladiators in this country. FIFA sanctions are imminent it appears, while the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has imposed a fine of USD 20,000 for not fulfilling an entry to the Under-17 Asia Cup tournament, rubbing salt into the wound that has festered beyond redemption.
The suspended FFSL President laid the blame at the footsteps of the MoS, brandishing a letter from FIFA that has issued a stern warning capped with a deadline that if not adhered to, would result in a worldwide condemnation. The beleaguered FFSL President took the unprecedented step of escalating the FIFA notice to the country’s President, who himself is a victim of the machinations that we as a nation have excelled in on every front. It is no surprise that we have become the laughing stock of the world with an overdose of sympathy that is keeping us blissfully afloat at the moment.
So, one may ask as to how this sordid situation arise? What brought about such an ignominy of belief and substance to a sport that we played with dignity and valor in our sphere of the universe in years past with sights on the world stage. That dream perished long ago. The 1990s saw a certain shift in the conduct of affairs at FFSL with elected officials made to sit in the corridors of Football House, while a self-appointed chieftain ran the Federation. The ultimate result was a life time ban that all but brought football to its knees.
But what was worse was that successive administrations did little to correct this moribund governance edict. All without exception were attracted by the largesse of FIFA and the mantra of frequent international travel and stadium grandeur, so much so, that observers used to ask if they needed a visa to travel to their home country, Sri Lanka.
The last President was a creation of these misguided chieftains, some of whom had hardly played the game but had discovered what the sport offered. It is they who brought this last monarch to office and the rest the pundits say, is history. We are now regaled with reports of grandiose renovations of the President’s Office that would embarrass even the FIFA President.
Much has been said of the constant visits to Qatar not just by himself, but by government ministers who purportedly were invited to FIFA events, so that they could discuss assistance to our nation on the sidelines. One energetic ministerial patron even promised an expanse of land to build a new stadium, as if that was all Sri Lanka lacked. So the demon was eventually unleashed and while the reins of football had been taken over by the MoS, the collegial chief himself did not miss the World Cup action, sharing selfies of his braggadocio for all to see.
FIFA and AFC must share the blame for such delinquent aberrations. So, must the MoS. It was plain for all to see that football was full of own goals. Everyone who had an iota of football interest or knowledge, knew pretty well how the wind was blowing. FIFA emissaries who visit us from time to time, sit in cloisters and only consider a one sided view of what is taking place. The MoS, who are privy to many complaints and petitions turn a blind eye when it should have stepped in much earlier and stopped the rot. Instead, they joined the band wagon.
These columns have often recommended a ‘NORMALISATION COMMITTEE’ forged by FIFA and MoS, in order to avoid sanctions that are unavoidable if unilateral actions are taken. Football needs a complete overhaul, no less. The cancer of opportunistic football warlords that creep into FFSL must cease. A new structure based on the long neglected FIFA model constitution and reforms must come to pass. A well-structured ‘NORMALISATION’ team comprising of FIFA, AFC and MoS delegates must be charged with the task of creating a new honest administration that befits modern football and the thrust one sees at an international level.
If that is all one can ask for the footballers of this country, let that be our prayer for the New Year.
This country requires a system change and so does, football. Will the Gods look down on us sympathetically and bring that penalty shoot-out to bear sooner than later. On that note, we dare wish all our sporting public, A Happy New Year!