Germany ready to support Lankan soccer - envoy
 

BY BERNARD Perera

SRI LANKA has done creditably well to bring back the lifestyle of tsunami affected people in a short period of ten months" said Jurgen Weerth German Ambassador for Sri Lanka and Maldives at the Football House on Wednesday.

He was the chief guest at a simple ceremony to announce the successful completion of the FIFA sponsored "Football for Hope" programme in tsunami affected areas by Holger Obermann.

Speaking further he said in Europe it is only one country that play cricket, which is played for five day but fails to reach results. Most Europeans are for soccer which consumes only maximum of 120 minutes where a final result is reached." So soccer attracts more attention" he said.

"German National Soccer team consists of many communities, but play as one team for one country. That should be the theme he said.

Speaking further he said if soccer is to improve you must refrain from including foreigners in local tourneys if your country is to develop soccer. This will also give an opportunity for locals to work as a team for one country."

"Who ever wins the forthcoming election he should be concerned on an undivided country he said. Germany is gearing up for the 2006 World Cup which is considered as the world's biggest event. This gives an indication to everyone where soccer stands in Germany.

Germany is always out to help your country whenever the situation arise for such help. Specially towards development of sports my country takes great care in giving our expertise know how" said Weerth.

Holger Obermann FIFA Coaching Instructor who was assigned to conduct the "Football for Hope programme" in Sri Lanka's tsunami affected areas paid a high tribute to the Football Federation for a well organised tour around the country.

Obermann said "that this is his second visit on coaching programmes. Both visits gave me the opportunity to mixed with youngsters and coaches who are really keen on the sport soccer. I have worked in Afghanistan on a coaching stint soon after the war.

There was a ban imposed on soccer. But this was relaxed later and I had the opportunity to be present there it was hard work. But in Sri Lanka it was very easier, he said.

Nearly 1000 children from tsunami affected areas, Kalutara, Galle, Trincomalee and Jaffna participated the programmes. In it was heartening to note that even the youngsters from LTTE controlled areas attended these project he said. This is a good sign.

In addition over 200 coaches too underwent the programme. They were highly talented in picking up new methods. They will now have to part with their knowledge.

"He said all youngsters are of high standard but when picking players great care should be taken to find boys with good physics to match the opponents. Present day if your country is to reach international level this point need greater care."

Sri Lanka can enter international soon provided they stick to plans set out by the governing body. Answering a question he explained that coaches have to be put together for programmes of this nature. If this is done all will gather the same training and also it has to be extended at least for ten days. Conducting programmes for two three days is not sufficient.

Even facilities vary from place to place. Your FFSL has all the facilities and it won't be that hard. Your federation officials too are keen and capable of organising things in a great manner. This is an advantage and I hope the officials take note of this" he said.

Finally he disclosed that he made a request to the German National Soccer team to play a charity match to raid funds for tsunami affected soccerites in Sri Lankan society. But the team had other ideas and proposed to build a stadium in one of the areas at a cost of one million US dollars.

My visit here I have chosen Galle for the purpose which will be constructed soon. The location will be the ground close to St. Aloysius College, Galle. This stadium is to be used by the schoolchildren as well as others in Galle.

The work on this project is to be completed before the next World Cup kick off he said. The German National team consisting of twenty two players have unanimously accepted the responsibility of this project Obermann said.

During his visit to Kalutara he also donated 2000 US dollars to the Super Beach Sports Club which was badly affected by last December's disaster.

Manilal Fernando Vice President of Asian Football Confederation addressing the media said Sri Lanka is lucky to have Holger Obermann to conduct this most wanted programme specially at a time of need to develop the sport among youngsters who are still not back to their nomalcy after tsunami disaster.

Obermann who has done yeoman service towards FIFA development work as coach cum instructor has done a wonderful job during his stay here. He has departed all his knowledge to our youngsters and coaches who are keen to promote the world renown sport."

He said, "The World Cup Germany 2005 which is to be held next year will see six Asian countries competing. This is a great achievement by the Asians to prove their improvement. The latest Asian Regional competitors there will be Australia and Bahrain.

These two countries entry into the World Cup is an eye opener for other Asian countries. We Sri Lankans too have a duty to work hard to reach this. It all depends on our development projects" he said.

Now it is our turn to make use of the knowledge what we gained from FIFA Instructor Holger Obermann. He paid a special tribute to Jurgen Weerth for being present on the occasion and the assurance given by him to develop the sport in Sri Lanka.

Thilina Panditharatne President of Football Federation made the vote of thanks.