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by Elmo Rodgrigopulle

Jaffna which had not seen an international team in action for the past nearly two decades, will get a taste of what international football is all about when the Maldivian national soccer team plays an international friendly against Sri Lanka there on April 6 at the Durayappa Stadium.

The irrepresible Manilal Fernando who has been guiding the destines of local football was somewhat disappointed when the Pakistan national team refused to play in Jaffna.

With peace soon in Jaffna, Fernando is a firm believer that sport too can play a major role in assisting Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe with his peace initiatives.

Fernando took the refusal of Pakistan to play in Jaffna as a challenge. He proved the clever playmaker and set the lines in motion to get the Maldivians who are due here on April 2nd to play a game in Jaffna.

Maldivian President Abdul Gayoom, who is also a very keen football fan was extremely helpful in this connection and with his blessings the game in Jaffna will be a reality.

John Ameratunge, Minister of Interior also gave all the assistance to play this game in Jaffna and the Minister who was the chief guest at the second game between Sri Lanka and Pakistan at the Sugathadasa Stadium will again play a similar role.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed by former President of the Cricket Board Tyronne Fernando and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Maldives have also helped to see that football fans in Jaffna will enjoy international football after a long time.

When the Maldivians play in Jaffna it will be a feather in the cap of FFSL President DIG Gamini Randeni during whose tenure this game will be dribbled.

Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena too will be a happy man. He had helped and made all arrangements for the Pakistanis to play in Jaffna. But it was a disappointment when that game did not take place.

From today all wheels will be set in motion to welcome the Maldivian and Sri Lanka teams in Jaffna. The people in Jaffna have always been sports lovers and have produced sportsmen and women of the highest class and they are sure to give the teams a rousing welcome.

Manilal Fernando promised this writer that he will do his best to get the Maldivians to show their class in Jaffna. Fernando has kept his promise.

Fernando can be best described as a prophet without honour other than in his own country. 

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