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by Leslie Fernando

It will be a historic occasion when the national teams of Sri Lanka and Pakistan play a friendly international football match on March 25 at Duraiyappah Stadium in Jaffna.

According to the Pakistan Football Federation Secretary General, Agha Syed Liaquat Ali (in a letter addressed to Manilal Fernando, Vice President, Asian Football Confederation) The Pakistan National Football Team is ready to play an exhibition match with Sri Lanka Football team in Jaffna city with the permission of the Ambassador of Pakistan in Sri Lanka.

At a press conference held at the Football House at Reid Avenue on Tuesday both Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena, Minister of Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Refugees and Manilal Fernando said that this is the first international sports event to be staged in Jaffna. Both were confident that the Ambassador of Pakistan in Sri Lanka will give his consent for the Pakistan team to play in Jaffna.

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena also thanked Manilal Fernando and his officials for organising this match in Jaffna and assured the FFSL of their assistance and co-operation. "I will guarantee maximum security for both teams. Jaffna has over 40 football clubs and they will be very eager to see an international match being played in Jaffna. I have arranged air travel for both teams.

The Minister also said that the French Ambassador, Marie France Pagnier and A. Adikqlanathan , TELO MP for Wanni will also be present to witness the match."

Manilal Fernando said that Pakistan FF has a very good relationship with the Football Federation of Sri Lanka and they have accepted Sri Lanka's invitation to play five matches including the match in Jaffna. The FFSL will also arrange to play matches in the uncleared areas in the North and East in the future. Football will be developed to a great extent in the North and East, added Mr. Fernando. J. S. N. Anandaraja will be the chief Co-ordinator, Football Development in the North and East.

Pakistan National Team will arrive on March 16. They will play their first match against Sri Lanka on March 17 at the Sugathadasa Stadium. March 19 - Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in Kurunegala, March 21 - Under-20 National Team vs Pakistan in Kandy, March 23 - Sri Lanka vs Pakistan at the Sugathadasa Stadium, March 25 - Sri Lanka vs Pakistan in Jaffna.

Schoolchildren will be allowed free entrance to the Sugathadasa Stadium for the two matches. They will be housed in the 'C' Block. All passes to the Sugathadasa Stadium for matches have been suspended. New passes will be issued at the FFSL Office at Reid Avenue.

Fernando added that the Maldives National Team will be here on April 3 to play two matches with the Sri Lanka team but they will not play in Jaffna.

"I personally hope to invite club teams from South Korea and Thailand to play matches here after the World Cup matches are completed", said Fernando.

The Sri Lanka team is training under Brazilian Coach, Marcus Ferreira, Anthony Balendra, M. Faiz and Lalith Weerasinghe. SSP Harold Anthony will be the manager while Dr. Priyanga de Zoysa will be the team doctor.

Dudley Steinwall of Renown SC will be the captain of the Sri Lanka team.

DIG Gamini Randeni, President, FFSL, J. A. S. Anandaraja, Vice President FFSL, Chrysantha Perera, Secretary FFSL, M. T. Fernando, Director, Competition Committee FFSL were present at the press briefing.

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