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| Sunday, 10 October 2004 |
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Straight talk Straight talk by Lal Gunesekere Well, they are in the news once again. That is, Manilal Fernando and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL). This time, the allegations have not been made by our own Sri Lankans, but by persons from neighbouring India, and it's not about financial mismanagement, but about trust and betrayal. Former FFSL chief Manilal Fernando, who is now a Vice-President of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and an official of FIFA (world controlling body) too, has come 'under fire' from the IFA chief Subrata Dutta, for devaluing the IFA Shield Championship now in progress in Calcutta by recommending Renown SC to play in this tournament where they have given away 19 goals in just two games. Dutta had approached Fernando directly as he did not want to go through any "agents", but what has the latter done - he has betrayed that trust and confidence. Dutta was assured that the Renown team will comprise four national and three foreign players, but as Dutta has disclosed, it was a junior team that was sent across the Palk Straits coached by Brazilian Ferreira. Dutta has failed to get in touch with Fernando, but is to lodge an official complaint to the FFSL. The IFA Shield invites teams from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar in attempts to develop the sport in the region. However, Fernando and the FFSL, has demeaned this tournament and sent a second string outfit. The IFA has been let down very badly. What a mess the FFSL and Fernando has got themselves into. The FFSL is shrouded in controversy with Fernando "pulling the strings" over the years, but yet the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports have not made any attempt to conduct any sort of investigation into the affairs of the FFSL (only God knows the reason) that has been questioned over and over again, to no avail. Why? It's not too late for Minister Jeevan Kumaratunga to get to the bottom of the affairs of the FFSL and put the record straight once and for all. Talent scouts needed New talent has to be unearthed in athletics. The days of Susanthika Jayasinghe, Damayanthi Darsha and a few others are almost coming to an end. They have certainly brought honour and glory to Sri Lanka, but we have to look to the future, and what better place is there than the schools and in the rural areas. It was from these areas that both Jayasinghe and Darsha were spotted, brought down to Colombo and trained under proper qualified personnel. This paid rich dividends with Jayasinghe winning a bronze at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 after many decades and Darsha been outstanding at the Asian Games a few years ago. But what's the position now? Has the authorities, particularly Athletic Association of Sri Lanka found replacements for them, and if not, what are their plans to unearth talent keeping the future in mind? The South Asian Federation (SAF) Games are to be staged in Colombo next year (2005), and almost all controlling bodies whose sport is involved have started their training programmes. Quite a lot of bickering is going on as to why certain competitors have been kept out of national pools etc - that's another story. The National School Games were conducted in Colombo last week. There were quite a few outstanding performances from athletes from the outstations. There was Gayanika Thushari and her sister Nilanka Sajeewani from Suriyawewa. The former established two records, while the latter broke another and between them came first in five events. Their story to success was heart-breaking. They arrived in Colombo without any support from their school authorities with their principal even refusing to send a teacher to accompany them, except for their male coach. They were not even given any financial assistance to come to Colombo and the girls were forced to borrow the money. This did not deter the two girls as they brought honour to their school. Chandrika Subashini from Madampe too, is another talented athlete. She broke Damayanthi Darsha's record in the Girls 400 metres (under-19) which stood for a decade. She also won the two sprint events (100 and 200 metres) too and was adjudged the most outstanding girl athlete for the third consecutive year. There were other outstanding performances from rural schools. They were Prasad Dharmaratne from Kalutara, Priyangika Kumari of Kegalle, B. G. L. Maduwanthi from Ratnapura, Sudarshana Weerakoon from Giriulla, O. R. Perera from Kuliyapitiya to name a few. The athletic association should take note of these athletes and try to bring them under their wing by obtaining scholarships to Colombo schools and nurture them properly as was the case of Susanthika Jayasinghe and Damayanthi Darsha. There will be more good athletes from the rural areas and there must be talent scouts to spot them and guide them and also to see to their needs. That is what counts in the final run. The athletic association must look to the future, and start now without bickering among themselves. Round the corner The Athletic Association of Sri Lanka registration which was cancelled by Minister Kumaratunga just before the Athens Olympics, has been restored and its annual general meeting has been set for November 6. Sunil Jayaweera who held the position of President has gone on record stating that he will not contest this post. On the other hand, Minister Kumaratunga has said that he does not have any favourites and its up to the affiliates to elect persons whom they require. Well and good, but I only hope that the parasites who make every attempt to cling onto power in any controlling body (not only athletics) just to get into the National Olympic Committee (NOC) to get the free trips and perks that go along with it, are kept out of athletics. They go to any length to get into office and they should be kicked out. One honourable person with a proven track record who should make a claim for the athletics hot seat is Ranjith Weerasena. He is a honest indivudual, who headed the AAA a few years back, and capable of delivering the goods. But I also hear that Gamini Netticumara of Salaka fame and now involved with the Stadium management, too is interested in contesting. He has got special permission from Minister Kumaratunga to contest. Let's hope that whoever is elected, athletics will benefit. |
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