Matara to get modern stadium

Bernard PERERA

The Matara Football League which suffered due to the Tsunami three years ago, is making steady progress. This was possible when the German national team came forward to support the sport by way of granting finances to develop the completely damaged Matara stadium into an international standard stadium.

The Football Federation of Sri Lanka too took this matter seriously and made all necessary arrangements to co-ordinate with the German envoy Holger Obemann. He was sent here to asses the damage and also to conduct coaching stints to bring back the young soccerites back to their normalcy through soccer.

Obemann did an excellent job with the support of the governing body and also the assistance from the Youth development coach R.M.U. Mahindapala. On Sunday they were in Matara once again to conduct a coaching stint and also to make on the spot assessment of the progress of the work on the construction work of the stadium.

The inspection tour was organized by the Matara Football League led by its efficient president Deshan W. Goonesekera. The Minister of Information Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene who hails from the Matara District too participated as this project. It is one of the major assets to promote the game here.

According to the League officials and the officials in charge of the project it is to be completed by the end of next month. What remains now are the final touches on the main stadium.

The Stadium which is fully financed by the German national team will be equipped with all modern facilities which includes Player dressing rooms, auditorium, lecture hall and a dormitory for the in house players.

Obemann speaking to the ‘Daily news’ said that he is here not as a FIFA delegate though he is a FIFA development officer. But I am here representing the German Football Federation working to help the football family in Sri Lanka. I have got the fullest co-operation from all concerned to work in a worthwhile manner. This has helped me to conclude my task very effectively.

He said that German National team could have given the finances with much difficulty and washed off their hands, but they did not want to end up by doing that only.

They were keen in seeing that football is developed to keep the game alive here with the sole intention of giving the young local soccerites an opportunity to forget the trauma that they suffered due to the natural disaster which gave lot of mental agony.

The German team thought it should be remedied through the game of soccer, that is why they were particular in developing this ground to be an international level one so that everyone will remember the theme that soccer helps everyone in the world what ever the part they live in.

Obemann further added that he along with former German Captain have made arrangements to bring the German under 16 national team to play here when the opening ceremony is to take place in few months time. The team on arrival play their first game here and play two more matches in Kalutara and Colombo.

He thanked the Football Federation of Sri Lanka and its able leader Manilal Fernando for the best support extended to him during his stay here. He said that young ones in Matara is a set of players with lot of talent this has to be maintained well, and should not allow it to going in waste.

The coaches and the all others concerned should take great care in looking after them closely and guide them on the correct path so that not only the players but also the country is to benefit from it immensely.

The Martara Football League officials and the National Youth Development officer R.M.U.Mahindapala are a efficient set of people who can maintain a healthy progress. They need the fullest support from all others involved in the game of soccer, said Obermann.

The coaching camp held during the last week end for the under 16 boys and girls from the Matara District schools too was highly a successful one. This was attended by over 150 junior soccerites from the area. Obemann was a very happy man on this day to see the appreciation of their hard work and the good results of their investment.

Obemann said once the project is completed it is these boys and girls who are beneficiaries of this great achievement, and moreover it is Football Family of Sri Lanka that will reap the best harvest. To bring successes for your country and the Matara District all of should rally round the officials of your League.

He was highly impressed with one of the players of the area L.H. Kavindu Ishan who has specil talents in ball controlling. Speaking on Ishan’s talents, he said that it was the first occasion that he came across a young man who is with so much of talent. He has to be handled very carefully by the all concerned parties and should be guide well as he is an asset to the country at large, said Obemann.

The Minister for Information Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene who attended the inspection tour said that Matara football League has got the most important section for the development of football in Matara through the kind courtesy from the German National Football team fro which we must pay tribute to them.

The national team is keen in developing soccer in Sri Lanka that is why they have come up with this idea. Now it has become one of our duties to have a good maintenance system for the stadium and also to develop the game of soccer in Matara to produce national level players to represent the country at international level.

He too paid a tribute to the Football Federation for playing a vital role in making this venture a successful one which will benefit Southern Province on a long term basis.