Online edition of Daily News

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse who was the chief guest at the opening of the Vernon U. Fernando Sports Complex at Kalutara on Wednesday said "Manilal Fernando is a man of vision". He is at the top as a lawyer, businessman, administrator and philanthropist. He was never involved in politics but was a important man in the sports field, especially for the poor man's game soccer".

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse was the Chief Guest at the opening of the Vernon U. Fernando Sports Complex at the Urban Council Grounds in Kalutara on Wednesday. Here Manilal Fernando, Vice President, Asian Football Confederation and President of Kalutara Football League and the son of late Vernon U. Fernando welcoming the Prime Minister on arrival for the event.(Pic Herbert Perera)

Because of his dedication towards this sport it is not only Kalutara that has benefitted but the whole country at large.

From the time he took over the reigns at the Football Federation his intention was to raise the standard of soccer to the level of other sports like cricket. Though this game was played in every part of the island the players were never respected in society. Manilal has changed this situation", said the Prime Minister.

Speaking further the PM said the people of Kalutara District should be proud of this great philanthropist who has spent over 30 million rupees to construct this sports complex in memory of his late father Vernon U. Fernando who was a leading lawyer in Kalutara.

He was a father who taught his children how to prosper in society". Prime Minister quating a statement made by late Fernando "Do what you believe in, work hard on it, be disciplined and never be afraid to do it your way" the members of the family have worked on this and that is why they reached the top".

The PM also said Manilal's vision in developing the game of soccer has already brought good results. In the recent past our soccerites have come up well against foreign teams.

His development projects commencing from under 13 level should definitely produce top soccerites in about five to six years when they reach the national level. This is a fine example for other sports governing bodies practice", said PM Rajapakse.

He requested people of Kalutara to give the fullest co-operation to the people who are handling the maintenance part of this massive complex which stands as the best asset received by the citizens of Kalutara. Prime Minister thanked the Secretary General of Sport's World Governing Body (FIFA) Dr. Mrs. Linsi, Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed Bin Hammam Al Abdulla and Japanese and Korean delegates for being present on the occasion. He made a request to philanthropists in other districts to invest a complex of this nature which serves a vital aspect in developing sports in the country.