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| Monday, 7 July 2003 |
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Zanitti rubbishes critics Vote of confidence for FFSL from Blatter by Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle Urs Zanitti, Director FIFA Goal Project rubbished critics when he said that the Football Federation nor the Goal Project in Sri Lanka has come in for any kind of inquiry or audit. 'Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, the governing body for the game which is played by 206 countries worldwide, was immensely pleased and confident with the admirable work being done here and has no need for a probe', said the likeable Zanitti, replying to a question posed by a journalist inquiring whether any FIFA auditors are here and their findings, at the launch of the Premier League tourney at the Galadari Hotel on Thursday. In so saying Blatter who was highly impressed by the red carpet welcome he was accorded has given a distinction pass for the FFSL and a vote of confidence to push ahead with all its plans for the development of the game and the player. Zanitti explaining the credo of FIFA said that Blatter, who is in his second term is exploring every avenue to do more for the game worldwide. After Minister Johnston Fernando made his inspiring speech in Sinhala where he thanked the FFSL, the sponsors of the Premier League Dialog GSM and the Print Media, the Daily News, Zanitti who spoke next although he did not understand a word, was quick on the ball when he said that he need not understand what was said by the Minister, because football the number one sport in the world has no barriers - languagewise or any other. Manilal Fernando, the Sepp Blatter of Lankan football was the most delighted and beamed with smiles when Zanitti, kicked out of the playing field Fernando's virulent critics who don't know a bat from a ball. 'Football is a school of life', said Zanitti who is in beautiful Sri Lanka for the first time and with his colleagues enjoyed every minute of it and studied the wonderful schemes drawn up here for the development and uplift of the game. 'Sri Lanka should very soon be in the big league', he said. To another question about a story in another newspaper, Fernando laughed at it, and in denying it and when asked why he was not taking any legal action, Fernando said that he does not believe in suing journalists, but only columnists. Football the world over is a religion. It is a way of life. It is a culture. That is why so many play it and billions follow it. Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, CEO Dialog GSM said that his company was happy to join in partnering the FFSL and dribbling for its success and said that when the sponsorship was suggested to him by DIG Gamini Randeni, President FFSL, he had no hesitation in agreeing because it was a poor man's sport and has wide acclaim all over the world. Chairman ANCL Nalin Ladduwahetty said his institution will give all support for the furtherance of the game. 'Why do you need auditors, when every cent is being accounted for. Fernando is one who believes in transparency and accountability', said a player complimenting Fernando for the great work he is doing for the game. |
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