Sports help to build a disciplined nation says FFSL President
 

by A. W. Gunawardhana, Matara Central Correspondent

Sports had a great history behind it, people then indulged in sports to gain entertainment but not as a recreation, ideas of entertainment and recreations are no more, sports have now become battles between two groups, even if it is so, sports mean discipline and nothing more, any nation must be disciplined sports-wise as in other matters, said the President of the Sri Lanka Football Federation Thilina Panditharatne, when he addressed the football fans as the chief guest on the occasion of the annual foot ball encounter played between Rahula and St. Thomas Colleges, Matara recently.

This great annual encounter was held amidst an unprecedent crowd-at the Uyanwatte playground. President Panditharatne said that any battle is fought with the intention of emerging victorious. Both victory and defeat must be taken in the same spirit.

The most popular game in the world is football which is played for 45 countries while cricket is played in only 15 countries - a large number of spectators could enjoy a game of football during a short period of time.

Foot ball is free of politics, but other games have been politicised. Rupees fifteen million have been allocated to improve the game in Southern Province football will be popularised in areas like Akuressa, Deniyaya, Pitabeddara, Tangalla, Hambantota and Elpitiya playgrounds required for the purpose are now being built in those areas.

Principals of Rahula and St. Thomas, Kithsiri Liyanagama and Ratnasiri Suraweera respectively also spoke.

S. S. P. Chandana Wickramarathna was present on the occasion as chief guest.

ASP (Galle) Premathilaka Hettiarachchi also spoke. The game was won 2-1 by St. Thomas, after a hard fought match.