Sing from the same hymn sheet: Umar

• Reaffirms SAAF glory is within touching distance 
• Vows to unmask mastermind behind mud-slingers 
• Lanka to face Bhutan in FIFA Friendly on 8 June 

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar implored the stakeholders of the sport here to shed their differences and sing from the same hymn sheet, as the SAAF Championship title was within touching distance after a three decade long lay-off.

He said that after successfully achieving its first task of climbing the FIFA World Rankings, Sri Lanka is now entering the next phase of its remarkable journey in the game.

The new target set by the head of the FFSL was revealed during a media briefing convened at the Football House on Wednesday (20), where he confidently vowed to win the elusive SAFF Championship after 31 years for the island-nation, this November.

During the press conference Umar outlined the national team’s preparation plans and called on the entire nation to unite behind one mission – #WinSAFFAgain.

Umar also disclosed that both Sri Lanka and Bhutan have consented to play an international friendly under the FIFA International Friendly Match Series on 8 June in Bangkok, as part of the national team’s preparation for the SAFF Cup in Bangladesh later this year.

The forthcoming fixture will also be Sri Lanka’s second international outing this year, having beaten Chinese Taipei 3-1 in the second-leg of the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers Group ‘D’ competition in late March.

He also vehemently refuted spurious allegations made by a small group attempting to sabotage the progress of Sri Lanka Football, reiterating that FFSL is fully prepared to face every challenge and overcome all barriers on the road to SAFF glory.

He charged that two individuals in particular were spearheading the mud-slinging campaign against him personally, which he alleged was being done at the bidding of a certain mastermind, whom he promised to unmask ahead of the SAFF Cup. 

The FFSL president added that under his watch he will not allow any of his ‘disgruntled detractors’to derail the march to SAFF success by Sujan Perera’s team.

He warned that if the slanderous campaign against him and the team is not halted forthwith, he will face his rivals in the courthouse in due course.

“This negative minded criticism has to cease forthwith,” he told reporters.”I don’t mind dealing with them personally. But, this type of baseless flak day in and day out could get to the players also and that could sway them away from the task at hand. These people are only concerned with getting into positions of the Football House. They don’t care about what happens to the national team. If this does not stop soon, I will meet them at the right place.”  

A large number of ex-players, coaches, parents, and football academies have already joined this national movement in support of Sri Lanka’s mission to reclaim the SAFF title after over three decades.

He reaffirmed the fact that Sri Lanka Football will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to unite the country behind one solid goal – to emerge the regional football superpower once again.

Source - The Morning