Reviving Sri Lankan Football: Sumathipala’s vision for Saunders

Dacshitha Sumathipala, the president of the Anuradhapura Football League, is no stranger to the challenges facing Sri Lankan football. Having been actively involved with the league for the past five years, he has seen firsthand the struggles of local football, both in terms of resources and infrastructure. As a former candidate for the presidency of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) and the current president of Saunders Football Club, one of the country’s oldest and most prestigious clubs, Sumathipala remains committed to improving the state of football at both the grassroots and national levels.

A former Royal and Sri Lanka youth international goalkeeper, Sumathipala’s journey with the Anuradhapura FL began with Dacshitha SumathipalaDacshitha Sumathipala

his involvement in representing a local club. Under his leadership, the league has flourished despite minimal support from the national federation. Anuradhapura, a region with 16 active clubs, has faced challenges such as inconsistent funding and a lack of proper infrastructure, but Sumathipala has spearheaded initiatives to improve the league’s operations.

Key to these efforts has been his focus on improving refereeing standards and coaching. Through a series of training programmes, Sumathipala ensured that local referees and coaches were updated on FIFA’s latest regulations. This focus on training has raised the standards of football in the district and provided a foundation for long-term development.

Sumathipala’s leadership has also seen the introduction of significant local tournaments, including a knockout competition with prize money of Rs 300,000, and a league tournament with a Rs 500,000 reward. These tournaments have brought new life to football in the district, providing players with opportunities to showcase their talent and compete at higher levels.

In addition to his work in Anuradhapura, Sumathipala has taken on the role of president at Saunders Football Club, a 106-year-old institution and one of Sri Lanka’s most successful clubs. Founded in 1918, Saunders has a storied history, but like much of Sri Lankan football, it has faced difficulties in recent years.

Sumathipala’s goal as Saunders’ president is twofold: to maintain the club’s legacy of producing national players and to help players grow both on and off the pitch. He believes in a holistic approach to player development, focussing not only on football skills but also on career guidance and personal growth. Saunders’ academy, which operates every Saturday, plays a key role in nurturing young talent, with 200-250 kids receiving free training. The academy’s social role is equally important, keeping youth engaged in positive activities and away from harmful influences.

“Playing for Saunders is an honour, but the real glory comes when you represent Sri Lanka,” says Sumathipala, highlighting his vision to see more Saunders players on the national team.

Sumathipala is acutely aware of the issues plaguing Sri Lankan football. His candidacy for the FFSL presidency in 2022 aimed to address many of these problems, including the lack of consistent local tournaments and minimal financial support for district leagues. Sumathipala, an entrepreneur, points out that despite promises of funding from the federation, leagues like Anuradhapura have largely had to rely on sponsorships and local support to survive.

One of the key frustrations for Sumathipala is the federation’s failure to prioritise local talent development. While foreign-born players have been relied upon in recent international matches, Sumathipala believes this undermines the potential of homegrown players. Without domestic tournaments, young players are left with few opportunities to develop and compete.

“At the national level, there are serious issues,” he says. “Very few local players are getting opportunities, as the focus has shifted toward importing players. While this might work in the short term, it’s a significant problem for the long-term development of the game.”

Sumathipala remains optimistic about the future of Sri Lankan football but believes that change must come from within. As president of Saunders, he is focused on organising regular inter-club matches and keeping the sport alive at the grassroots level, regardless of the federation’s inactivity. He envisions collaborating with other Champions League-level clubs to organise tournaments that will provide players with consistent opportunities to compete.

His broader goal is to hold the football federation accountable and ensure that district leagues receive the funding and support they need to thrive. Sumathipala points to the importance of proper administration and transparency in football governance.

“Just because the federation is inactive doesn’t mean football has to stop,” Sumathipala asserts. “We need to keep the sport alive.”

Sumathipala’s dedication to both Saunders and the Anuradhapura FL reflects his broader commitment to Sri Lankan football. While he may have faced setbacks in his bid for the FFSL presidency, his passion for the sport and his vision for its future remain undiminished. By focusing on grassroots development, fostering young talent, Sumathipala hopes to create a sustainable future for football in Sri Lanka – one where local players have the opportunity to shine on the national and international stages.