CFL ground stands as a monument

by M.S. Hashimdeen

FOOTBALL: The City Football League which had its grounds in Colombo 2, was formed in 1922. This league was then exclusively for the barefooted player in the city.

This was followed by the formation of the De Mel League, pioneered by that great philanthropist and benefactor Sir Henry de Mel.

This league too catered primarily to the barefoot players and was equally popular as the City Football League. It received a modest pavilion in 1929 as memorial to the great soccer enthusiast Sir Edwin Hayward. The Pavilion was thus named 'Sir Edwin Hayward Memorial Pavilion'. The pavilion and ground remained till 2007 as the centre for football, and is popularly termed the cradle of local football. For well over 85 years, the City Football League grounds remained the undisputed bastion of city football and remains so even to this day.

From time immemorial, City League Ground was known as the cradle of Sri Lanka soccer. It produced more than 60% of the national caps who have represented our country in this common man's sport. Till recent times the rate of such production was maintained without interruption or a visible decrease probably due to the game's strong and stable foundation at this cradle of local soccer. In fact, there was hardly a Sri Lanka team without a minimum of four or five players from the City Football League which was the organised centre.

Great players such as M.A. Hassan, T.H.B. Munna, T. Johar, T. H. Noor, T.H. Soona, Chelliah, Petha (Premadasa), A.R. Jailabdeen, Hassimdeen brothers, A. Zainulabdeen, T. Halideen, M.I. Muthalip, H. Jayatissa, M. Hamzath, T. Naheem, M. Zaheer and many others shone for this country for a number of years in both domestic and international encounters.

Hats off to those workmanlike and able administrators of the past namely, M.D. Kitchilan, Tons Laxana, David Nanayakkara, W.K. Somapala and T.K. Buhar. Last but not the least F.A. Yaseen who did an excellent job to develop the City League ground and its pavilion in the early 1990s. The services rendered by these administrators under great stress and strain is indeed praiseworthy.

I had the privilege of representing the City Football League as a player in 1963 and coached its senior soccer team in 1998 to become champions at the Inter-League Football Tournament conducted by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

History will not be completed if appreciation is not recorded of the present Vice-President of the Asian Football Confederation Mr. Manilal Fernando for the initiative and great flair shown in uplifting the grounds and pavilion of the City Football League, funded by FIFA - controlling body of world football.

It stands as a living monument to his unremitting devotion and sincere admiration of the common man's sport. On behalf of the soccer loving public and soccer players of the Colombo City, I owe the sincere gratitude and thanks to him.

The officials of the City Football League can take immense pride in being able of organise, conduct and promote the sport for eighty five uninterrupted years, which in itself, is an inspiring achievement by any human standard.

However, it is rather disappointing to note in recent times, that not much headway has been technically or organisationally, to improve the playing standards of the game. With the new pavilion and the redeveloped ground, also with the peerless tradition, the game has had and the equally enviable record to more than 85 years of its existence in the city.

It will certainly not be a task beyond our reach to revive and resurrect the sport. It should be an obligation, if not duty, for those who are called upon as administrators and coaches to guide its destiny properly. To achieve this objective the need has arisen for people who are knowledgeable, honest and dedicated who can bring football back to its pristine glory and fame.