Dribble between football big shots
If there are attempts or if certain elements intend to postpone the upcoming election or of Sri Lanka Football (SLF), intended to take place in May 31, the President of Kalutara Football League (KFL), Dr. Manil Fernando elaborated that concerned parties should seek the opinion of the Ministry of Sports and the election committee that conducted the previous election. Fernando, who was overwhelmed by the incumbent President Jaswar Umar, at the last held SLF election, accused the present administration while claiming his former rival is intending to hang on to power by postponing the election.
At the last election, held on June 30, 2021, at three different locations across Sri Lanka, Fernando lost to Umar by six votes, knowing that whoever wins the elections would have to contest in nine months. Fernando pointed his finger at Umar for attempting to stay in office by extending the term by a further 12 months, and the son of the former football supremo, added that it will be a decision that will be challenged by parties who adhere by the constitution of the sport.
At a central executive committee meeting held in Ariyalai, Jaffna among members of football leagues a proposal had come forward supporting an extension of terms of the present SLF administration and the executive committee by 12 months. The proposal had the support of 53 leagues, and had been adopted, according to informed sources.
However, the proposal was objected vehemently by the former SLF President, Anura de Silva, who was representing the Polgahawela Football League in the capacity of its President. Interestingly, the proposal to extend present SLF President Umar’s term had been made by a former General Secretary candidate, who contested from Dr. Fernando’s faction at the last elections.
“With due respect, when Umar won the election last June, he clearly announced that he would face the upcoming election in nine months. His main task was to amend the present SLF constitution to fit in with the FIFA constitution. He (Umar) claims that he had attended to it, but we cannot see any progress or there’s no explanation from them about the subject. Clearly, they have done nothing in that regard, and no one has any idea about it,” Fernando stated.
“Former Presidents who chaired the FFSL and subsequently the SLF, and most of them make a common complain that they were not given the liberty to carry on their duties by certain elements. But we, as the main rivals who contested against them, chose to stay silent during Umar’s entire tenure after the election, to let him perform his duties. During this period the SLF coffers have drained out, and written complains made by us, have been totally ignored,” Fernando added.
Fernando explained that the present football administration, though their term is a short one, had even failed to come up with a plan to attract sponsors or come out with a comprehensive plan to develop the domestic competitions.
“But he did try to promote the sport to the next level by conducting competitions such as Independence Trophy District Championship, the Premier Four Nation Cup, and the newly introduced Super League Championship. We must admit that he did some good things to the sport.”
“However, if he intends to extend his tenure by another year, he should prove the ability and validity of his attempt lawfully. If not, it will be a misuse of power or simply fraud,” Fernando explained.
Meanwhile, it is reliably learnt that a section of the fraternity is up in arms to take legal action against the present SLF administration if the incumbent President attempts to extend his term without going for a lawful election. Umar had told reporters that there are provisions to extend his term without going in for an election, and even if that takes as presumed, it will not be an illegal move by any mean, explaining certain clauses of the ‘National Sports Act’ introduced by the then Minister of Sports, Mahindananda Aluthgamage in 2013.
“I’m not afraid to face another election. I won last time, and I’m sure I have the potential to get more votes this time. My argument is that I too should get a term of two years as previous Presidents of SLF and it will be the rightful move. This doesn’t mean that I’m afraid to face an election,” Umar stated.