Football to be popularised among women

By Leslie Fernando

FOOTBALL: Vast plans to promote football among women have been drawn up by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. So women soccerites will receive a big boost with the 1st FIFA Women's Football Coaching Course to be held from August 2 to 8 at the Football House, at Reid Avenue, Colombo 7.

Manilal Fernando, AFC Vice President and FIFA Development Officer in Colombo, who has a proven record for hard work for development of football in Sri Lanka for over two decades, said that development of football worldwide is one of the primary aims of FIFA. "My request to FIFA to hold this course was granted". Fernando added that FIFA is concerned a great deal over women's football development in Sri Lanka.

In this aspect, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka has selected 30 candidates who have attended the 'D' Licence Football Coaching Course, Schools PTI and Sports Officers from Ministry of Sports Islandwide.

The participants should be prepared to approach this challenge in a professional way and gear up to overcome difficulties and ensure the values of football are maintained. Fernando further said that he is sure courses of this nature under the experienced and competent lecturers will benefit the participants enormously to achieve the expected results.

It is indeed heartening to note that there is a lot of football being played these days, apparently this has been possible by the generous financial support of FIFA. AFC and the local sponsors - Dialog GSM. Fernando added that those who controlled the destiny of the game in the past, were always up against the 'net' when it came to funds. Although they had plans for the improvement and development of the game, finances to put the plans into action and score goals for the game were what stopped them.

Fernando, who is the Chairman, Management Committee of FFSL added that FIFA has appointed Tariq Lutfi, FIFA Instructor to conduct the course. Muhisheen Ariff, the Director of Referees FFSL who was already conducted nine coaching courses, 5 internationally and 4 locally, will be the FIFA

Course Coordinator, R. M. U. Mahindapala, Director Youth will assist LUTFI.

Mrs. Olivia Gamage of the Women's Committee of the Football Federation will be the Chairperson of the Organising Committee in Collaboration with Youth Development.

There will be two guest lecturers in attendance, Dr. Manil Fernando, Chairman Youth who will address the participants on Sports Medicine and Muhiseen Ariff, Director Referee in the Laws of the Game. There will be two practical classes one in the morning and one in the evening followed by the theoretical classes.

Fernando said that the FFSL and the Ministry of Education have a big role to play in the promotion of women's football-the game has to be played among the girl schools. The FFSL will request the Education Ministry to introduce football into girl schools curriculum. If the standard of women's football is to improve and reach high standards, it is of paramount under that girl schools start football. These are the nurseries that nature and give to the national team women footballers of repute.