FFSL must get cracking in preparations for AFC Championships
by Leslie FERNANDO
FOOTBALL: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has delegated
responsibility to Football Federation of Sri Lanka to conduct the AFC
Challenge Cup Soccer Championships final round matches from 16th
February to 27th, 2010 in Colombo.
Nine countries - South Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Mynmar,
Terkmehistan, Thajikistan, Kirgistan and Qatar have already qualified to
compete in the championships.
According to FFSL media officer, Rukmal Perera, the Football
Federation of Sri Lanka has already decided to hold the matches at the
Sugathadasa Stadium, City Football League Sports Complex, CR&FC grounds
and Vernon U. Fernando Stadium, Kalutara. Rukmal Perera said that a
special mission from AFC arrive here on November 9 to inspect the
proposed venues for the competition.
It is planned to have the matches live on TV and Sugathadasa Stadium
is the most suitable venue for this purpose. But the voltage powers for
floodlights is insufficient for the live TV coverage. For live TV
coverage, the four floodlight towers should have a voltage 1200
electromotive force. But Sugathadasa Stadium four floodlight towers has
only 800 voltage.
Perera said that FFSL has already written to Gamini Lokuge, Minister
of Sports and Public Recreation and Donald Abeysundera, Chairman
Sugathadasa Stadium Authority with regard to this important issue. FFSL
hopes that both the Minister and Abeysundera will take prompt action to
improve the lighting system. The improved floodlight new system should
be ready before end of January. Meanwhile, the match schedule for the
championships will be finalised on December 3 in Colombo with the
officials from AFC and FFSL being present. A new book national pool will
be formed on completion of the Dialog Champion League soccer matches now
in progress in Colombo and outstation said Perera. It is sad to note
that none of the selectors or members of the competition committee are
present at venues where key matches are being worked off.
It is somewhat of a lapse on the part of the hierarchy of the
Football Federation. Over to the Chairman Selection Committee of FFSL
and Competition Committee and Manilal Fernando, a key figure of the FFSL
for kind consideration on this very important issue-selecting the
talented players!
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