Football: FFSL looking inwards to elevate standards

In the aftermath of Sri Lanka's disastrous campaign at the AFC Solidarity Cup Football Championship held in Kuchin, Malaysia, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) is planning on making radical changes mainly focusing on Youth Development. 

The intended changes were discussed and finalised at the FFSL's recent Executive Committee meeting and they will be implemented with immediate effect according to Ranjith Rodrigo, the Head of Media and Communications at FFSL. 

One of the top decisions taken by the FFSL Executive Committee when they met last Saturday was to appoint a International Expert, who will be in-charge of training junior teams identified as Under-16 and Under-19 national sides. 

However, the FFSL has decided to retain the services of the incumbent national coach Dudley Steinwall, who has been entrusted with the daunting task of reaching the finals of the SAFF Football Championship to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh next year. 

These crucial decisions, according to Rodrigo, were taken after reviewing Sri Lanka's lackluster performances at the recently concluded AFC Solidarity Cup held in Malaysia. 

"In the AFC Solitary Cup, Sri Lanka played against Laos in the first game. Among the observations we made was that the team was too defensive and lacked stamina. In addition the team don't get to play on grounds at domestic competitions that fits the internationally specifications. More importantly the technical standard of the players were far too low than expected."
 
"In the second match against Mongolia, we conceded two goals, through penalties, there too we were too defensive and the attacking mode came very late. In the third game against Macau we scored first but couldn't go beyond that, due to lack of stamina we lost control at one stage and they equalised. Some may say and boast about on how Sri Lanka as a team were in the past but the truth is things have advanced with time," Rodrigo stated. 

National coach Steinwall's tenure is at stake when Sri Lanka goes out to vie against regional foes India, Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan in December, 2017. 

The FFSL, at its Executive Committee meeting has given an ultimatum to Steinwall to be more focused and productive and make sure Sri Lanka reaches the final. 

Among other decisions taken by the FFSL Executive Committee are to -- do away with the Senior and Under-19 Inter-League Tournaments, to appoint foreign experts as coaches of the Under-19 and Under-16 teams, to appoint Rajamani Devasagayam as the assistant to Steinwall, make compulsory that teams playing in the Dialog Champions League to structure out junior teams of Under-19 and Under-16, mandatorily hold Under-19 and Under-16 competitions among Leagues and plan out a long term strategy to develop football focusing the junior structure and present them to the global body, the FIFA. 

Elaborating further on what he thought to be the root cause for all the setbacks, Rodrigo stated that the current attitude of youngsters and parents, who are being totally guzzled by academic commitments only. 

Adding salt to the wound, he went on to say, that extra-curricular activities including sports, are made least important by the current trend, led by after school and weekend tuition classes. 

He also outlined that even Physical Training, which was a practical subject in the past, has become a classroom subject where only the theory part of it is taught to students. 

"At some school tournaments it has come to light that games were played for 20 minutes whereas it should be at least played for 60 minutes at junior level. It's not a healthy hearsay. When the FFSL met with the School Football authorities, their reason was that there was not enough fund to run tournaments properly. We pledged our support to them, because schools are the main feeders to the national grid and they need assistance to set things straight. Even top education authorities have ignored the fact that sports in general shapes up the youngster with healthy lifestyles, leadership, team work, pressure handling and sportsmanship," Rodrigo, while admitting the flaws of FFSL's recent ventures, said. 

Rodrigo expressed that FFSL has no plans to appoint foreigners as national coach in the future as they feel the real impact can be made if Sri Lanka is to progress at international level, is by adhering technical guidance and other assistance to the younger brood. 

FFSL's initiative will come to life when Sri Lanka hosts an Under-16 International Tournament in March, 2017 fully sponsored by Japan. From there the mission is expected to move forward. 

"We really need to think of getting expertise from foreign coaches, mainly from Europe. We are supported by FIFA. It will also support the five upcoming Football Academies of FFSL. In addition Japan has confirmed that they are ready to host an Under-16 International Tournament here in next year where Sri Lanka, Japan, Nepal and Bhutan are taking part. All expenses except for internal transportation and match venues will be taken care of by Japan." 

"It will be a good exposure for the youngsters who will be national material in time to come. The Sri Lanka team will be picked from the four teams -- Jaffna, Gampola, Colombo and Ambalangoda -- the four teams that reached the semi-final stage in the recently held Under-16 League Competition. Training will begin from January next year and will continue even after the intended tournament, and the FFSL is keen on developing the team under the new instructor who will be in-charge of the five academies. Because we cannot adhere the technical know-how or change the playing style of a grown up player. Instead it would be more productive and easy to teach a potential youngster."