Chandrapala aims to take women's soccer to the top

Leslie FERNANDO

D. H. Chandrapala, Asian Football Confederation 'B' Licence football coach was responsible in organising Sri Lanka National Women's football Tournament with assistance from officials of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka recently.

Chandrapala, a former Eleven Youngsters and Saunders SC Soccerite who played with P. D. Sirisena, Lionel Peiris, M. A. Ameer Judy Preena, H. Mettananda is a contended man.

The Women Football Team under his care did creditably were to win both matches against Maldivian women football team recently in Colombo.

His main aim is to make the Sri Lanka Women's Football side a champion outfit with proper and regular coaching.

Chandrapala who had his education at Mahabodi College and Stafford College was a reliable defensive player. He captained the Western Province Soccer team in 1979 and also represented Ceylon Cold Stores in Mercantile soccer. He was also the coach of Ceylon Cold Stores and John Keells 1999-2001.

A dedicated coach Chandrapala has a proud record. He coached the Ananda College team 1985-1992. Ananda won the Brazil Cup in 1986. From 1985 to 2006 he coached D. S. Senanayake College and in 2000 and 2001 the team became runner-up in the Milo Under-19 tournament and won the tournament.

Colombo Football League Under-19 team won the Eveready Cup in 2007 with Chandrapala as the coach.

Chandrapala was the Assistant coach of the Sri Lanka team at the SAF games in 1991, Assistant coach of the Sri Lanka School Football team which participated in the Asian Youth Football Tournament in 1994 and 2001 in Thailand and Malaysia respectively.

He was also the assistant coach of the under-17 National Youth Soccer team.

He has followed several football coaching courses abroad and he is a qualified masseur.

He is also the football coach of Asoka College, Gateway College, Willesden International College, Battaramulla, Soft Logic Holding Ltd.

Chandrapala is the Secretary/Coach of the newly formed soccer team from Rajagiriya Moragasmulla SC which plays in city FL and Colombo FL tournament.