Sports

Lankan footballers lack motivation

Nigerian professional William Philip says
By Rangi Akbar

“Sri Lankan footballers lack motivation. There is not much publicity for the sport in the island. However there is a lot of talent around. The players in Saunders, Ratmalana, Army, Navy, Air Force, Kalutara and Renown are fantastic,” said William Philip, the Nigerian professional who plays for Ratmalana United in the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Football League during an interview with Sunday Times.

William Philip (Pic by Rangi Akbar)

Continuing he said, “Last Sunday when the UEFA Champions League final was played at the Wembley Stadium and was shown live on TV, many Sri Lankan football players were watching the cricket Test between Sri Lanka and England in Cardiff. If players interested in football had watched the final at Wembley they would have seen players like Lionel Messai ( Barcelona ), Fabio (Manchester United) and a host of others in action. They would have learnt something out of that game,” said Philip.

Sri Lanka lost the Cardiff Test with Chris Tremlett leading England to a sensational win as they defied the elements to beat Sri Lanka by and innings and 14 runs.

The Nigerian who has been in Sri Lanka for about one year and seven months had been in Vietnam and Cambodia earlier where he had coached a host of youngsters. “I spot the talented ones and recommended them to the authorities. They in turn take appropriate action to further their talents. You must eat, sleep and dream football all the time if you hope to go ahead in the game,” said Philip.
Football or soccer is very popular in Nigeria, a nation on the west coast of Africa which has more people than any other African country. The country has as the world’s tenth largest nation in population. Soccer is the favourite sport in Nigeria.

Whilst in Nigeria Philip had turned out for Royal All Stars, State Security Services and Cletic FC. Here in Sri Lanka he represented Tri Star at the Beach Football Championships held in Kalutara where his team won the championship and the Mercantile League where they emerged champions at the competition held at the CR&FC Grounds last year.

To a question who the best local player he has seen in action he thought for a while and said that Colombo FC’s midfielder Abul had caught his eyes several times and that he thought that this lad had a lot of talent.

Philip said that his favourite all-time footballer is Zinden Zidaine of France but he also likes the styles of Maradona, Pele and David Beckham. “There is a player who plays very much like Zinedine Zidane in Nigeria. He is Austin Okocha. When the World Cup championships was on officials were comparing the styles of these two players.”

Zinedine Yazid Zidane is a retired French footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Zidane played for major club teams in France, Italy and Spain, and was the captain of the French national team. He was the iconic figure of a generation of French players that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship. After a brief international retirement, he returned to the national team in 2005 and captained France to the 2006 World Cup Final where he won the Golden Ball as the tournament's most outstanding player.

In parting he said, “You reap what you sow. So a lot of effort is needed from soccer officials and players to make the game the best in the island. So work towards it. You will get the results soon.” Philip is married to a Canadian national. He says that Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and the people are so friendly. “The footballers I meet are very talented. Let’s hope the authorities will do all they can to brighten their futures.”

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