Football: Sri Lanka team to train in Doha ahead of SAFF Championship

Football Sri Lanka (FSL) has successfully negotiated with Qatar to have the Sri Lanka men's football team's training programme to continue in Doha, ahead of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship. 

Accordingly, FSL has received permission to conduct training under a secured bio bubble, after its incumbent president Jaswar Umar held successful discussions with their counterparts in Qatar.

A contingent of 38, 27 players and 11 from the coaching staff, is set to leave for Doha, Qatar by the end of the first week of September to initiate the training programme. 

FSL president Umar has held successful talks with a delegation of Qatar football officials, headed by Sheik Hamam bin Qalifa Al Thani, where in return Sri Lanka footballers were granted the permission to land in Doha and train for the SAFF Championship.

A lockdown situation has been imposed in Sri Lanka since August 20, which would end on August 30, but was extended until September 6. 

Sources predict that the lockdown could further extend and with impeding logistical issues coupled up with the rising numbers in COVID-19 cases, FSL has been forced to take a step back in their preparation of the national team for the regional competition, which begins from the first week of October. 

FSL will further prune down the squad to 23 after the training programme in Doha, for the SAFF Championship which kicks off in Male from October 1.

The two foreign based players with Sri Lankan origin, Marwin Hamilton and Dillon Perera, are set to join the Sri Lanka team in Male straight from their countries adopted.   

FSL has appointed Roomy Mohamed and Rajamani Devanayagam to take charge of Sri Lanka team's training programme in Doha, Qatar. 

FSL president Umar, commenting on the decision to send the national team to Doha for training prior to the SAFF Championship, stated that the move is more viable and secure, considering the present global condition of COVID-19.

Qatar has reported no deaths and only 205 positive cases of COVID-19 for the month of August, and is consider by FSL as the most fitting location to prepare its men's team ahead one of the important regional competitions. 

Qatar is set to host the FIFA World Cup 2022 during November 21 and December 18.