Football: Ranjith Rodrigo looking to clear hurdles

After clearing the initial hurdles and getting their names cleared off by the Ministry of Sports to contest at the upcoming elections of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), Ranjith Rodrigo made his team's intentions on how Football should be managed in Sri Lanka. 

Rodrigo, a former President of FFSL revealed that he has obtained all clearance to contest for the top position once again, with the backing of an energetic team that has a mix of well-known, experienced administrators as well as energetic newcomers to the set. 

"We are well aware that Football in Sri Lanka is paralyzed in the last six months. The present administrators are highly focused on the FFSL elections that they have forgotten the country's domestic and international playing commitments. Anyone may come and go but the game has to go on, and that is our main concern," Rodrigo, explaining on the main component of the sport, stated.

Rodrigo's camp will have 10 candidates, including him as the nominee for the President's position with renowned Football administrator Trevor Reckerman as his Secretary General. Jayasinghe Mendis comes in as the candidate for the post of Treasurer, while K.P.P. Pathirana, Jayantha de Silva and present General Secretary, Balendra Anthony, are contesting for the positions of Vice President. 

M.R.M. Sinnan will contest as Deputy Secretary General in charge of Administration while U.L.M. Latheef has put his name forward as the nominee for the Deputy General Secretary in charge of Technical. 

Indika Thambavita, has been already elected uncontested as the Assistant Treasurer. 

"When I served as President during 2013-2015, I am proud to state that the FFSL was taken back to the democratic stream after nearly two decades. That itself was a huge achievement, and we want to further stabilise that pattern. We intend to create a culture where, no matter how many officials make their way in and out, the most important component should be the game. No one should be higher than Football," he added.

According to Rodrigo, he is confident of a possible win on July 1, and soon his team's win after the elections, a one-day workshop is on cards with all stakeholders of Football, that includes present and past players, former and present administrators, sponsors, media personal and key contributors to the sport. 

"It will be very easy to say that we have a manifesto or these are the thing areas we are going to develop. According to the present state of affairs in local Football, doing that is not practical at all. We clearly understand that, by today, Football is being taken to the graveyard, mainly due to poor management, administrative incapability and individuals with different agendas. If we win, and we are certain of it, we will meet all stakeholders of the game and have an open discussion on how we could move forward to make Football the sport that it was in the past. Soon after, within a week to be exact, we will release our action plan on the outcome of the meeting," Rodrigo revealed.

Rodrigo's main rival will be the incumbent President of FFSL Anura de Silva, his one time friend who changed camp due to unknown reasons. 

Many were surprised to see Rodrigo and de Silva taking different directions after working as allies for years. It is reported that de Silva is being supported by a former disgraced heavyweight. 

"By all probability this will be the last time I will contest, even if I win or not. What I want to make happen is create a correct pathway that transitions should take place smoothly while the focus on domestic and international competitions is solely taken care of by the appointed team managements. These are some of the main issues that have been neglected by many in the past. We will create a new future and culture that Football will be among the top three in Sri Lanka by at least the year 2020," he added.

Meanwhile General Secretary contender Trevor Reckerman pointed out that Sri Lanka has players, coaches, officials and administrators with high potential, but for unknown reasons these talents have been misused or underutilised. 

Reckerman stated that the Rodrigo administration will treat the deserved and put them in their correct places while there will be a 'no-nonsense' policy on underperformers.

"Individuals should not come here to warm seats and give out instructions. They should be well aware of what is happening in and around the field and work. If they can't do that they should leave with honour and let those who work the opportunity to serve Football. We have a set of capable individuals, even the Executive Committee will include with those who are well known in the game and with those who can make firm and clear decisions for the betterment of the sport. We will work and clear all the gray areas that are around Football now. We do have a plan, but we will give an ear to those who contributed and contribute to Football and work collectively towards a better plan that will benefit the sport," he stated.

The FFSL elections will take place next Saturday (July 1).