Football: Anura de Silva wins FFSL election

Incumbent President Anura de Silva overcame one of his biggest hurdles, out of which he could expect many to follow during his fresh tenure of four years, to defeat former boss Ranjith Rodrigo by a margin of 25 votes at the Annual Congress of Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) on Saturday (1). 

The FFSL Annual Congress was held at the Duncan White Auditorium of the Ministry  of Sports at Torrington under the observation of two representatives from FIFA and AFC (Asian Football Confederation), after which both main candidates termed the election results as 'fair and acceptable'. De Silva, who will now remain as President of FFSL till 2021, received 104 votes out of a total of 185 while Rodrigo secured 79 votes. 

Two votes were declared void.

"It's a great victory, it was all anticipated. We cannot take much pride because we have taken up the huge challenge of developing and taking the game to the fore. We do not intend to cause the game a downfall by not working towards the development of the sport. We have a long term plan, where anyone could takeover anytime, run the show and take the game forward. We cannot term that there were losers today, all were winners. Everyone is part and parcel of the sport, we intend to work accordingly and lay down a structure where young and energetic individuals could take us over one day and contribute to the country," an elated de Silva told reporters soon after his victory. 

Soon after the defeat the entire list of candidates who contested alongside Rodrigo withdrew their nominations paving the for de Silva and his clan to record an easy victory. 

Accordingly Farook Nagoorthamby, Antony David, Pathmasiri Munasinghe and Upali Hewage were elected uncontested for the four positions of Vice President. 

Former CEO of FFSL, U.L. Jaswar was elected uncontested as the General Secretary while Arulananda Jothi was elected uncontested as Deputy Secretary Administration. 

Jagath Kumara de Silva was elected uncontested as the Deputy Secretary Technical while Indika Thambavita, the sole representative from the Rodrigo camp was already elected to the post of Assistant Treasurer after the other two names were rejected earlier on. 

The only other contest a count was taken was for the Treasurer's post where Tyronne Fernando obtained 102 votes to defeat independent candidate Mohamed Fazlan, who received 80 votes. 

"This is just a part of the game. The future is definitely going to be tough for the new administrators, who were just elected to office, considering the current state of football in the country. I'm really thankful to all those who stood by our team. Majority of the Leagues have been really corporative. We accept the results and wish those who were elected, all the very best and hope that they could take football to the highest possible level. We will be always there for Football," Rodrigo, accepting the defeat stated. 

Rodrigo further went on to say that he and his team had no doubts about the outcome or proceed further legally to challenge the newly elected administrators, as he thought it would just bring dishonour to the sport. 

His desire, Rodrigo stated, was to develop the game and not drag it backwards. 

"We have no intention of seeking legal assistance or looking at other ways and means to obstruct the progress of Football. The game must move on and develop, we love the sport and we don't intend to hinder its progress or operation by taking up any legal step, that will not help those who got elected the opportunity to serve the sport. As for me it's time that I take a break and put more time and effort on my work and family and my Football club and League in Negombo," he added.

Meanwhile former Chief Executive Officer of FFSL and newly elected General Secretary revealed that his team, headed by de Silva, will use the next 100 days to study, redefine and structure Football, beginning from grassroots level to the top. 

The main intention according to Jaswar will be to lay down a comprehensive and effective plan that anyone can come and run the football administration in the future.  

"We have a very good team as well as a plan, and we want to make sure our motto 'Football for everyone and Football everywhere' is neatly implemented and carried forward. The start should be from administrative reforms, as we have been telling on and on, the FFSL has not changed its structure for a considerable period. We should follow the world and must come in age in administration and the rest will fall in line." 

"We will make sure that all competitions will take place according to a calendar which will be drawn for an year or two. The calendar will be structured very soon and will be made public, and will be strictly followed. We have a comprehensive plan where we have said the game will be our main focus. It will cover from the junior level right up to the national grid, where we intend to make the game professional by four years. The plan will be laid out and it will be easy to adopt and follow, even those who take over after four years and so on," he stated.

The elections was conducted as a secret ballot. 

The newly elected FFSL administrators will serve a tenure of four years according to the new Sports Law of Sri Lanka.