'Rali' de Silva - Father of football in Gampaha

FOOTBALL: The game of football here in Sri Lanka has had many willing workers who have spared their time, energy and even spent their money to spread the game throughout the length and breadth of the country so that the younger folk will take to the game and improve the standard.

R. F. ‘Rali’ de Silva - the “Father” of football in Gampaha with the trophies he won during his active days.

To name each and every person who has played a dominant role in the promotion of the game is an impossible task, but the game of football here in Sri Lanka has had the good fortune to have the services of these gentlemen who have done plenty of spade work so that the game of football will into every nook and corner for the sake of the up-and-coming generations. In the early part of this century - November 14, 1927 to be exact, a football fanatic to be R. F. de Silva was born. He received his early education at Gampaha Holy Cross College and subsequently at Gampaha English School (presently Yasodara Vidyalaya) and also at Lorenz College.

Besides his schooling, R. F. de Silva - "Rali" to his numerous friends, took to football soon and it was somewhat of a blessing that the game got a true friend. When he was big enough, "Rali" came into the football scene with a bang and grasping the fundamentals of the game and went further and introduced the game to Gampaha and formed United Football Club, Gampaha and devoted his life to football, besides indulging in religious activities. The football activities had to be temporarily stopped in 1942 because of the Second World War and once the war situation eased off, in 1945 at the age of 18 years "Rali" de Silva was employed as a clerk in the Emergency Kachcheri in Gampaha, then later on at Registrar General's office and Excise Department. It was then that he got the opportunity of spotting talent in Gampaha. His efforts were not in vail and he was able to form Barbarians Football Club in 1952. After forming the club, R. F. de Silva rang up the problem of preparing a place to play football.

The ground was ready for football in 1959. But then he was transfered to the Ampara Kachcheri in 1961, but he found it difficult to work in the official language and retired from service.

From then onwards, it was football all the time. "Rali" had a great pal in the football scene in Ceylon by the name of Sarangapani from the Football Association to plant grass in the playground where he took over and it turned out to be a happy venture. In 1960 he was able to get the then Sports Minister V. A. Sugathadasa to ceremonially open the ground. So, a, dream of "Rali" became a reality and he richly deserved the title: "Father of Football" in the Gampaha District. Gampaha Football League was also formed. Gampaha's football really got a kick-start. He served 20 years as Secretary of Gampaha Football League and he was selected as a council member of the Ceylon Football Federation. He has been felicitated from time to time by the Gampaha Barbarians Football Club. He now goes about his day to day life using a push cycle and at the age of 82 years, the people of Gampaha wish him a healthy and pleasant life.