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by Bernard Perera

The tender age of 13 is the ideal age to learn the basics of soccer said Ichiro Fujita, a senior technical adviser to Asian Football Confederation at a press briefing held at the Football House in connection with the formation of the under-13 National Pool.

Fujita who is on a short tour of the island was the chief guest at this simple ceremony. Speaking further he said for the last fifty years Japan was famous for its baseball prowess. During that period soccer was a dream for Japanese. But today this dream has come true thanks to the development programme initiated by the Japanese soccer governing body for juniors of 13 year's. This has brought in good results for country during the past two decades he said.

Japan was able to produce many internationals with the introduction of this project and also the national team qualified for the World Cup. All these are the efforts of those young one's who committed themselves to soccer from the beginning said Fujita. These youngster who are here must take an example from the Japanese he added. It is high time that a project of this nature came to limelight but there should also be the flexibility on the part of the authorities. These 30 youngsters will be there for nearly 7 to 10 years playing the game, during which period some may fade away. To compensate for this proper inclusions have to be brought in. There could be more who may impress from outside the pool. This too must have to be considered, he concluded.

Sunil Senaweera, the Secretary of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka told the gathering of players and their parents that this project commenced two years ago. The coaches and the selectors worked hard to select these players. They had to visit all parts of the country in search of talent. This we did with the intention of reaching the top ten in the Asian region in soccer.

Parents of these young players too have a duty to perform towards this project, he told and requested them to be vigilant about there whereabouts when they are going out and also with their education. We undertake the responsibility of these players fully, he said.

He thanked the parents for coming there with their children who are expected to bring honour to their motherland.

President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka Gamini Randeni (DIG) thanked the hard working officials and the parents of the young soccerites for making this launch of the development programme a historic one. He added that shortcoming may occur because this is the first occasion that they undertook a programme of this nature. Every player will be completely looked after by the governing body. We are proud to offer our facilities to promote the game here and also to be among the top teams in the Asian region.

"The FFSL is ready to listen to parents of these children and sort out problems through discussions. As a senior police officer I have made all arrangements for the safety of these future soccerites this order have been sent to all police stations in the island and I request these parents to contact them if the necessity arises."

The Football Federation takes the full responsibility of these players. The FFSL is all out to provide all necessary equipment, food and lodging for them. It is the duty of them to give of their best with determination and courage which will bring honour to the country.

"Now the pool consists of 30 players. The main squad will be pruned down to 18, this does not mean that the others will be left out. They will undergo training without a break he said. Parents must not get discouraged, he said.

I hope these youngsters will be there in 5 to 6 years time to win the gold cup for Sri Lanka."

The pool:

Under-13 national pool list: 

Mohamed Shakeer Naijimdeen (Wariyapola Sri Sumangala College), S. K. Lahiru Tharaka Silva (Holy Cross College, Kalutara), Rukshan Mendis (Lumbini College, Colombo), W. M. Tharidu Rukmal Weerasinghe (Polonnaruwa Thopawewa Maha Vidyalaya), Mohammadu Mihilar Mohammadu Inamul Hassan (K/L Ambalanduwa Muslim Vidyalaya), Thusitha Lanka Hettiarachchi (Isipathana College), Dextor Anthony Bernard (De Mazenod College, Kandana), Mohammadu Naizer Mohammad Fasal (K/L Ambalanduwa Muslim Vidyalaya), Jayasingha Arachige Savan Nimesh (CH/Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa), Kollura Appuhamilage Don Anuskha Jayashan (Maliyadeva Adharsha Maha Vidyalaya, Kurunegala), Kareem Mohammad Irshad (K/L Ambalanduwa Muslim Vidyalaya), Mas. Jeyarajah Maheethan (St. Xavier's Boys' National School, Mannar), W. M. Chamira Krishantha (Gampaha Gothami KV), Mohamed Nilam Mohamed Nafeer (Al Hilal Central College), M. F. Shabri Mohamed (Zahira College, Gampola), Sathkoralge Sammi Prasad Fernando (St. Peters Central College), Mihindukula Sooriya Anton Thisara Thejan Fernando (St. Peters Madhya Maha Vidyalaya, Negombo), Mohamed Riyal Subeb (WP/CS/Arethusa College, Colombo), Tharaka Damith Dissanayake, Atuwe Gedara Sampath Buddika Bandara (Wickremabahu National College, Gampola), M. Y. M. Wazeem (Zahira College, Maradana, Colombo), Mohammed Shafraz Kaiz (Zahira College, Colombo), Chamath Dilshan Dharmasiri (Royal College), A. A. Nalaka Roshan (Veluwana College), Yushin Malinga Hettiarachchi (Dharmadutha College, Badulla), Wasala Mudiyanselage Hiran Chinthaka (Dharmadhuta College, Badulla), Patikirge Dinusha Senadi Senavirathna (R/Seevali MMV), Kandalingam Pratheepan (St. Joseph's College, Trincomalee), Mohamed Rizvi Johare (T. B. Jayah Maha Vidyalaya), Pitigala Acharige Ishan Rathnakumara (G/Siri Abayatissa MV).

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