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Krishani
Krishani
Sep 30 2026
32The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar is of the view that if domestic Football Academies are to reach the professional level, then they will need to scour for sponsors on their own.
He said due largely to the money-minded agendas of a few past heads of the FFSL, numerous prominent football clubs in the local circuit have become defunct currently, and warned that the same predicament could befall Football Academies as well, if prompt remedial measures are not taken.
The FFSL President made these remarks addressing a press conference to launch the Federation Cup 2026 Football Tournament held at the Sports Ministry premises last week.
The Federation Cup 2026 Tournament for Under-14 and 16 age groups featuring 22 teams in each category is organised by the Manchester Soccer Academy for the third year with the support of the FFSL, and it is to be held at the Racecourse Grounds, Colombo from 3-4 October.
Umar stressed that the Football House has come forward to back the junior tournament in the aspects of administration and technology, but without providing any financial assistance, due to past experiences which he felt would not bode well for the sport, if allowed to continue unchecked.
“As these are primarily private Academies, we are not providing financial assistance,” the FFSL boss pointed out.
He said in the past the FFSL had offered cash to clubs but the national team had continued to wallow in mediocrity, and observed that it is a lesson that has to be learnt by those determined to see Sri Lanka improving its fortunes in the world game.
“We encourage them (Football Academies) to go after sponsors on their own in order to reach the professional level. The reason for that is in the past we gave clubs money, but we continued to remain at the very bottom of world football.”
He said most of the household names of the local club football arena have either become defunct or have been consigned to history.
He added that such clubs have suffered this plight due to the administrative system having rotated around a single individual.
“That is the same predicament that Ratnam SC is also facing. There is nothing to hide there. We need to buck that system for the betterment of local football,” Umar explained.
Umar, who used the platform to convey a timely message to football coaches and referees, stated that if both segments do not behave properly, then their offspring will also take the same cue from them, and noted that their father, teacher and friend will need to behave in an exemplary manner.
He said that coaches and referees flouting laws and regulations will be punished within the football framework, referring to a few recent untoward incidents.
“In future I don’t think any issues will emerge concerning referees,” he said. “All these problems arise because the football community has not become updated with the new laws. There were a few problems linked to referee decisions recently. However, I feel what matters is not punishment, but making all aware of the laws and regulations.”
“Today the game has evolved from what it was a few decades ago,” the FFSL head said. “Its newest introduction is the Under 15 Football World Cup for Boys and Girls by FIFA next year. To prepare for such a tournament this Under-14 competition will be important.”
Umar said the Under-15 World Cup due to kick off in 2027 would be an annual event with all 211 FIFA accredited nations competing, with a nation like Sri Lanka being afforded the opportunity to contest a World Cup henceforth.
The head of the Manchester Soccer Academy Augustine George, revealed that a sum of Rs 200.000 will be offered to the overall winners with the runners-up taking home Rs 100.000, while he put down the estimated cost for the competition at Rs 10 million.
