Administrators score own goal for National Football
The feature by ‘Korner Kick’ in the Sunday Times of Sept.10, makes interesting reading, a sympathetic account at that! As an old war horse who has served in many FFSL administrations of the past, the analytical discourse brings to the surface the fundamental weakness of those at the helm of the sport in the country. Added to that, press reports that are following the trail of the recent fraud, only goes to underline the endemic nature of what actually ails the FFSL.
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In the past, Football Administration was an honorary job undertaken by Football enthusiasts who had played or, had more than a fleeting association with the sport. They were Footballers of repute and took pride in shaping the destinies of the game, selflessly giving of their time and money, for the sake of the sport in this island nation. That noble service appears to be a thing of the past, with the primary interest of present day officials being the spoils of office and the never ending hoopla of foreign travel sponsored by FIFA, AFC and friendly Member Associations (MA) lining up for the future vote bank.
On top of that, the Ministry of Sports (MoS) which has the muscle of the Sports Act to ensure due diligence, hardly exercises an effective supervisory role or authority, merely aligning itself with the powers that be. The MoS has a representative who is supposed to liaise closely with the FFSL and monitor its progress. That hardly takes place and no regular written report reaches the MoS, no small wonder the Minister is not adequately informed of what’s taking place at Football House.
We talk of Budgets related to a Vision for the sport! Does the MoS have a precise understanding of what that is and how it progresses over a period of time? What are the technical benchmarks set for its national squads; simply providing air tickets to send our teams to slaughter is an exercise in futility! Even with a colossal sum now spirited away by the Finance Manager and quite stunning revelations in the media and within the Football fraternity, it is certain that no report has reached the Minister and neither has he called for one, for urgent action in this outrageous robbery. If this grievous act is condoned and swept under the carpet, as it has happened before in the FFSL, it is the poor Footballer who would continue to suffer from the vagaries of an institution that has lost its way.
FIFA & AFC have cause to institute a Normalisation Programme for the benefit of the FFSL, instead of doling out funds that are blatantly misused. If the MoS teams up with the International Body to pursue such a reform, it would be tantamount to an Interim Committee imposed by the MoS. Whatever happens, it is all too clear that, what the FFSL requires is an inspired and honest leadership that can revive this sport from its much maligned predispositions.
M.T. Fernando Former FIFA Referee