Archives

AFC inaugurates fund for North-East football

by Dr. Elmo Rodrigopulle

Football in the North and East is in for good times with the inauguration of the Late J. S. N. Anandarajah Fund to help the game in these two regions.

The Fund is to be inaugurated by the President of the Asian Football Confederation Mohammed Bin Hammam Al-Abdulla.

The President who took time off to visit the family of J. S. N. Anandarajah and offer his condolences on Friday, promised to inagurate this Fund on the initiative of Football General in Sri Lanka Manilal Fernando.

Anandarajah's demise which was a great loss to the game here as well in the Asian region was in charge of the progress and development of football in the North and East. During his short tenure, he saw to it that several tournaments were worked off which featured teams from these two regions.

With the signing of the peace accord, sport, especially football has taken a big leap forward and if what we saw at the recent tournaments are an indication, then it won't be long before footballers from the North and East vie for places in the national team.

In favour of the FFSL which is headed by DIG Gamini Randeni, it must be said that they are an example to other national sports bodies the way they run their organisation. The AFC and FIFA who had their Presidents visit Sri Lanka - Bin Hammam and Sepp Blatter marvelled at the progress that the game has made here all-round.

The imposing Football House and the Baddegana Training Centre which are FIFA Goal Projects have been well thought out and executed by that man for all seasons Manilal Fernando with an efficient band of hardworking officials. Anandarajah was in charge of the Baddegana project. In fact the Sports Ministry too are impressed the way the FFSL is doing their thing.

Hammam who condoled with Anandarajah's wife Pathmini and two sons Ram Kumar and Ravi Kumar appreciated the honest and hard work done by 'Ana' for the game in Sri Lanka and the Asian region.

It was in recognition of his dedication that the AFC appointed Anandarajah as vice-chairman of their disciplinary committee, which post he adorned with great aplomb until his unfortunate demise.

Earlier Bin Hammam inaugurated a personal fund for the Anandarajah family with a donation of US$ 10,000. Hammam promised to get all Asian countries to contribute to these deserving funds.

Manilal Fernando whose honesty and integrity is beyond question will be in charge of these two funds and transparency which is Fernando's hallmark will be in evidence in these aspects too.

Welcoming the AFC President and taking him to Anandarajah's residence were Manilal Fernando, President FFSL, DIG Gamini Randeni and Executive Secretary FFSL Chrysantha Perera.

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright © 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager