Football: FFSL gearing for "Paid Honorary Officials"?

In a surprising turn of events, the President and the General Secretary of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) have got its Executive Committee to unanimously agree to a proposal for thumping monthly allowances to the two honorary positions. 

If it is implemented as intended, it will be an historical first in the annals of local sports, as the 2 FFSL office bearers will be the first to become 'paid honorary officials'. 

At a time when local Football is at its lowest ebb in the global index, in addition to being a malfunctioning local structure and national setup, experts of the game expressed their displeasure in the manner in which Football is currently governed. 

The move to propose allowances to the two top FFSL positions, had taken place at a special convention and programme held at a Holiday Resort in Kukulegama recently. 

To this meeting, the FFSL administration had also summoned its Executive Committee (ExCo), where this controversial proposal had come out from a timid member, who stated that, "The FFSL President and General Secretary are 'doing an extraordinary task to lift the game in Sri Lanka, so both of them should be entitled to a deserving monthly allowance". 

The proposal had been enthusiastically seconded by another ExCo member, a move many Football experts called a "well scripted move". 

However, following reports in the local newspapers, of the 'move', the FFSL promptly to released a media statement that the move was never entertained, and it was a mere 'proposal' made by one of its ExCo members. 

"Whatever that is circulating around is not accurate. There was a proposal made by one of the ExCo members at the said meeting, but it was not in the agenda. In addition, as the FFSL President, I stalled it from proceeding further, as any proposal tabled and seconded should be ratified at the Council Meeting, according to the FFSL constitution. We issued a clarification on this issue within days," stated FFSL President Anura de Silva. 

Despite the FFSL statement which never clearly indicates whether its President or General Secretary would receive the proposed monthly allowances or, they have totally rejected the move, de Silva affirmed that the proposal remains where it is. 

"It was rejected and stalled, but will remain as a proposal made. Which means the two positions will remain honorary, as they were. I can confirm that," de Silva added. 

In spite of unclear and contradictory responses from many of the FFSL authorities, where some were clueless of the clear outcome of the proposal made, certain experts go on to explain that they are clearly of the view that the proposal has already been legitimately adopted. 

However, it turns out be that the Football fraternity still awaits a clear and firm explanation from the authorities, on the whole episode.