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| Wednesday, 13 October 2004 |
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Baddegana football training centre opens by Bernard Perera The newly constructed Baddegana sports complex and national training centre will be declared open today October 13 at 8 a.m. This project is the second Goal Project the Football Federation of Sri Lanka received from the world governing body FIFA, under the directions of its chief Sepp Blatter. This was disclosed at a press briefing held recently at the Football House. Manilal Fernando, Senior Vice President of Asian Football Confederation and Chairman of Management Committee of Football Federation of Sri Lanka said that, "Sri Lankan soccerites and all interested of the sport are lucky to have a centre of this nature in Sri Lanka. We Sri Lankans should pay a special tribute to Josep Sepp Blatter for giving this second Goal Project within a period of 4 years. The first being the Football House which too is a Goal Project funded programme." He further added that, "this was granted to Sri Lanka Football Federation as it made good use of the first grant to satisfy the world governing body's chief. This prompted FIFA boss to recommend the second project which could be of vital importance to develop the sport in Sri Lanka. The Goal Project is a concept initiated by Sepp Blatter when he was elected as FIFA boss. This was a project to develop the sport in developing countries. Though the sport is played in these countries, due to lack of facilities and financial assistance. Lankan soccer was lacking these and with the assistance of this nature provided Sri Lanka with a place to conduct its activities minus difficulties. Blatter was of the view that Lanka needs its own training centre with other assistance it could reach great heights. Sri Lanka's ability to use the assistance in the proper way this prompted him to grant the second project too for Sri Lanka. When this was announced Sri Lanka's governing body took prompt action to find a location for the project. This, the then officials did with extreme caution and satisfied the donors. The 2002 March saw the commencement of the project at Baddegana. The land which was a marshy land took a new look from this stage with FIFA boss arriving in the island to attend the opening of the construction work. He was highly impressed with the programme launched by the local body on this day. He left the island as a happy man saying that it was a pleasure to work with efficient officials. The construction work got under way smoothly keeping with the targets set out for the completion of the project. Baddegana National Football Training Centre which was constructed at a cost of 500 million has the following facilities build according to FIFA approved standards. The playground is well-equipped sprinkler system which keeps the playing area soft. Dormitory consists of space for sixty players with all facilities, while the room accommodation is available for 24 players, coaches and managers. In addition the building also has a dining room which can cater to 75-100 persons at a time with modern kitchen facilities. The other facilities available with internationals are, first aid room, managers room, office space stores complex and the writing lounge. There are also two lecture rooms, library and a gymnasium for the benefit of all users of this complex coming under Football Federation of Sri Lanka. This 55 million project will be declared open today at 8 a.m. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Jeevan Kumaratunga will be the chief guest on the occasion. Mohamed Bi Hammam the President of the Asian Football Confederation, Secretary-General of soccer's world governing body FIFA Urs Linsi and the General Secretary of the Asian Football Confederation Dato Peter Velappan too will be present on this day at Baddegana National Football Training Centre. With the opening of this valuable centre Sri Lankan Football is sure to benefit immensely in the future as the Football Federation has already made arrangements to develop soccerites from their young age. |
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