Matara stadium opens on Jan. 30

BERNARD PERERA

The newly built football stadium at Matara funded by the German national team which participated at the 2004 FIFA world cup will be opened on January 30 with Minister of Sports Gamini Lokuge and German Ambassador in Sri Lanka Juergen Weerth as chief guests.

The other foreigners expected to participate at the opening ceremony are three representatives from the German Football Federation and a player from the team that competed at 2004 World Cup who will be the representative for the team and Holgar Oberman FIFA instructor.

The ground was completely destroyed by the tsunami on December 26.2004. The national team of Germany in a sporting gesture decided to spend their earnings from the World Cup to redevelop the stadium giving it a new look. This they decided when the Football Federation requested donors to help the tsunami affected areas through various organisations.

In the meantime FIFA made an assessment of the damages caused through the officials which brought in good results for the affected areas. This project is the biggest that was under taken by the players of Germany to keep the sport moving.

Their kind gesture is sure to go a long way for the development of the sport in Sri Lanka.

Chairman of the Management Committee FFSL Manilal Fernando took a keen interest in this project which now becomes a great asset for the FFSL.

He personally looked into matters regarding this project with a view to make it a success which would help the FFSL in the long run. Many of the FIFA officials visited the country to instruct and see to the progress of the work on the project. Their reports have been highly favourable and the FIFA gave its sanction for same. Holgar Oberman the FIFA instructor made many visits to the sight an inspection tours.

With the opening of the Southern province will be blessed with a fully fledged stadium for the soccer loving public. The southerners should make the maximum use of this opportunity to promote the game and produce soccerites to represent the country.