Football: FFSL to set up academies after Channa's plight

FFSL President Anura de Silva states they have plans to set up five skill development centres around Sri Lanka, with FIFA's endorsement. 

The authority feels that by this action they can bring a halt to E.B. Chnna type developments in the future. 

"We cannot take responsibility for an individual's fate, nor have we or, any other local Sports association, a pension or caretaker plan for former National players. If we even think of doing that, the FFSL coffers will empty as we look on. As a governing body, we can intervene and help Channa contribute to Football in other ways, notably, guiding him to obtain a valid coaching licence. Other than that, we too are helpless," de Silva told reporters at a press briefing to respond to Channa's charges that, the FFSL was irresponsible in not taking care of its former players. 

"We have already drawn up plans to set up academies at five main cities in the country, to train and maintain squads of different age groups. It will not be solely for Football, as we have taken serious note of Channa's plight. We plan to provide players enrolled into these academies with training and career guidance programmes, along with motivational and other training programmes. We have proposed this to FIFA and it has responded positively, saying they are interested in providing financial assistance to these programmes," de Silva added. 

Channa represented Sri Lanka for almost one-and-a-half decades, relying solely on Football for his upkeep, and now, about five months before his 38th birthday, is employed for the first time in his life, as a labourer and gravedigger at the Dadella Cemetery in Galle. 

He says he is 'fed up' after striving for years, seeking employment, before deciding to take up one of the least 'dignified' occupations in Sri Lanka, sparking controversy among the Football fraternity. 

"Channa did not complete his studies, instead, he turned full-time Footballer at nineteen and it's at 38, he realises the need to hunt for jobs. Along the way, he missed out on many opportunities that came his way via Football, including some good job offers. Moreover, he is a cheat who was banned for a year after being found guilty of match-fixing. What would happen if a cricketer of this country commits such an act, as Cricket is the favourite sport of Sri Lankans. People would take things into their own hands and shame the player. Channa remains even today a Footballer, as it is a poor man's sport, and his present circumstances will take its reputation further down. It's a shame, how can he stand up like a man and claim that the FFSL or, the top authorities should look after him or, any other National player with a tarnished track record," questioned former FFSL President Ranjith Rodrigo. 

However, Minister of Sports, Dayasiri Jayasekara, on Wednesday called Channa for a meeting and offered him employment at the Matara Sports Complex as its Manager. 

The Minister had told Channa to leave bad things of the past behind him and work positively towards a good future. 

"But still, Channa has not obliged the Minister with his complete bio-data or, an application to the Ministry to formalise his job. It's a bad habit among the majority of our players, especially those who reach National level. They take things for granted, thinking they are icons, and forget the fact that they have a life to make in time to come. It's not only Channa who has been acting like this when jobs are offered. It's a common 'sickness' as a whole, especially among those who failed to complete their secondary education. This is one of the main aims in setting up the intended academies, to make good Footballers, as well as to turn out a complete and useful citizen, once he or she retires from the sport. You cannot entirely decorate your life through Football, this is not Europe. We must be practical and rational," Rodrigo added. 

Almost all former captains of Sri Lanka Football from different eras were present on the occasion, where de Silva revealed that the FFSL has no intention of reprimanding Channa for his behaviour, stating that, "We have no intention in stamping on an already down-and-out man. That's not human." 

The FFSL is awaiting FIFA instructions to go ahead with the academy facility plans, which will come up in the Southern, Uva, Northern, Central and Western Provinces.