It is no secret that the successful culmination of all human endeavours begins in schools. They are the nurseries which necessarily produce doctors, lawyers, engineers, religious and social leaders, politicians, Scientist, sportsmen, and almost every one in the whole gamut in the field of human activity. If any such nursery is non-existent, it follows that [...]

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The Sundaytimes Sri Lanka

School is where soccer should begin

By Subhani Hassimdeen – former national football captain and national coach
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It is no secret that the successful culmination of all human endeavours begins in schools. They are the nurseries which necessarily produce doctors, lawyers, engineers, religious and social leaders, politicians, Scientist, sportsmen, and almost every one in the whole gamut in the field of human activity.

If any such nursery is non-existent, it follows that there shall be no growth or development to reach national or international standards in the respective branch of activity. One need not be a Socrates to understand the logic behind the argument, yet the majority of our sports controlling bodies have laid the least emphasis on this aspect, particularly the Football Controlling Body of Sri Lanka.

Since 1970’s each successive administration in the National Controlling Body of football in our country failed to appreciate the importance of promoting school football. The school which played football did so on a low key, without any assistance – technical or otherwise from the controlling body. This paved the way to a few opportunists – a bunch of mere teachers and masters in charge to think bigger than the main administrative body of football. They started working independently according to their whims and fancies without adequate technical and administration knowledge on football.

Today, there is an upsurge of interest among them only when a foreign tour is round the corner. Trials are then published, new coaches appointed sponsors found and they do their own selections of the team. The authorities give the approval without any supervision or study. This arrangement goes on unabated and shall go on until all major schools give up playing football as a serious sport.

It had been exposed in one of the English dailies that football tours are designed more for officials than for the sport and its results. In fact the school team which participated recently in the under 19 schools football tournament held in Iran had five lads from one school. One wonders how such a team got approval from the authorities concerned to make the tour. Those who selected the team are also from the same institute. This show that they had selected those whom they wanted to go on the tour, without realizing the gravity and consequences they are going to face when participating in International Competition.

The absurdity of taking a weak and un-trained school team for an international tournament has once again put our country into shame. Conceding 17 goals to nil in a single match is indeed a record in the history of Sri Lanka football. Our defeat at the hands of Iran 0 -17 , Korea 2-12 and Indonesia 0-5 respectively expose how low our present playing standards are. In brief we have conceded 34 goals in 3matches, averaging 11 goals against as per match. This not only cutting us to size but a grim reminder of our weak performing standard at the pre-Olympic tournament held in Saudi Arabia couple of month ago, where our under 23 national team conceded 19 goals and scoring only 1 goal against our opponents.

Before one gets seriously involve in the administration process, it is necessary that one should know the history of the sport and study properly the technical aspects of the game.

Winning or losing certainly is a part of any sport. However going down timidly and tamely for lack of technical know – how and preparedness is most unfortunate and in-excusable.

Who takes the responsibilities to our pathetic performance? Is it the School Football Association, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka the Education Ministry or the Sport Ministry? Who gave the approval for the selection of the team and the tour?

Action at the recently concluded Zahira Super 16 Sevens. - File Pic.

We must bear in mind that our pedestrian standards not only brought disgrace to our motherland, it has pushed local soccer standards hit rock bottom. Hence the appeal to the extra ordinary men at the top to step down is not only fair and just but the only alternative available if we are to infuse new blood – new thinking and a new vision to give a new life for Sri Lanka football which is breathing its last breath.

Well over four thousand schools indulge in sports today, and it is tragic not even eight percent of these schools are involved in competitive football. It is sadder still, when history records the game of football being played in schools as early as in 1881. For instance, St. Patrick’s college Jaffna introduced football by Rev. Fr. J.A.R. Smythe. National stars Anthony Pillai, F. Francis, Gonzales were the products of this institute.

In the same vein Jaffna College, Vaddukoddai has played serious football from 1914 until the mid seventies, followed by Jaffna Central College and Skandavarodaya College who seriously got involved until 1970’s around which time their commitment the sport waned due to lack of encouragement, competitions and assistance from the National Body.

Similarly in Deep South, St Thomas College Matara dominated the sport in the early twenties. In Galle the Galu Maha Vidyalaya came into limelight in the game in 1950s. Panditha brothers and Podimahataya are of the top class players produced by Galu MV.

St. Mary’s college and Maris Stella – Negombo which started football as a sport in 1900 and performed well in the 1960s. Players in the calibre of Dennis Peries, Vincent Fernando, John Fernando and Gamini Madurawela won national colours and shone in the Senior National Team for many years.
In the hills, Dharmarajah College, St Anthony’s college, Kingswood College- Kandy played competitive football six years before the formation of the National Body of Football. M.T.A. Ossen, C.S. Fernando, Mahinda Aluvihara were three brilliant products, while all three captained the National squad, represented the National team for number of years.

In lush green Gampola and Nawalapitiya over stretching Kandy, where football was played with almost religious fervor Zahira College Gampola and St Mary’s college Nawalapitiya were in the frontline in promoting football in a big way. M. Nizar, Rumy Pakeer Ali, Ananda Kumar, M.M.M. Naushad are few of their illustrious products who came in for national recognition.

The list goes on and is too numerous to mention.

It is not surprising that the great Pele won his world cup wining medal at the age of seventeen. Between the age of 18 to 22, if a skillful soccerite is handled properly by an experienced and qualified coach, no doubt he will end up as a full fledge international player who will be an asset to his country. This trend was there in our country between the years 1950 -1970. Most of the players who donned the national Jersey were from their respective schools.

The Sri Lankan Schools Football Association, on which the controlling body relies heavily for a football promotional drive in the schools is woefully weak and ineffective, constituted as it is today. It has been so, for quite a long time.

This body to be effective, should be guided and directed by top rung officials of the Ministry of Education and technically assisted by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka under the supervision of an Advisory Board nominated by the Sports Ministry. Inter -district tournaments for at least three age groups, for schools in the various district and Inter Provincial Championships for winner of the district tournament must serve as annual competitions. Provincial coaching clinics – district or provincial wise, would ensure that collegiate football is on a technically higher pedestal.

In this respect, we should derive strength from the great pioneering work done by those illustrious Principals. Their service and commitment to the sport should exert a powerful hold on our imagination.

If this programme is to make any significant headway we have to prepare a structure to improve soccer from the grass root level to develop the sport via schools and this is the only way to achieve our goals. It must and should receive the support of a virant Sri Lanka School Football Association – not from opportunists and tour maniacs. Then and only then, will this sport take root and grow at grass root level in the schools. Subsequently produce fruit full results at international competitions.




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