Defence Secretary opens redeveloped CFL ground

Chinthana Wasala

The City Football League ground which was redeveloped with the funds received from the Tsunami Solidarity and the Basel pavilion, a donation from Ms. Gigi Oeri, the Chairperson of FC Basel and President of the SCORT Foundation, Switzerland, was opened by the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday.

The ground is fully equipped with all the modern facilities and the main building comprises a secretariat, gymnasium, auditorium and a dormitory for the players. Floodlights are also available.

The funds were available through the FIFA, the world football governing body, the Asian Football Confederation and the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

The President of the Asian Football Confederation Mohamed Bin Hammam, Ms Gigi Oeri, Minister of Sports and Public Recreation Gamini Lokuge and President of the Athletic Association of Sri Lanka Maj. Gen. Palitha Fernando were also present at the opening ceremony. The grand opening also gave the spectators a chance to witness a brilliant game of soccer, the Dialog Champions league second round match which was played between Ratnam SC and Renown SC which Renown won 3-1 with the help of Mohommed Fazal’s two goals and Fazal Rahuman’s goal.

At the end of the first half, the scores stood at nil all.

V.B. Channa, the experienced campaigner scored the first goal of the match in the 55th minute to help Ratnam to take the lead but Renown fought back hard thereafter to keep the ball in their possession.

In the 72nd minute, Fazal Rahuman levelled the scores one all.

Shortly, afterwards M.N.Mohommed Fazal netted the ball in the 78th minute giving Renown the necessary lead which was extended by himself in the 84th minute, scoring another goal, disappointing Ratnam SC players and the large crowd present at the newly renovated stands at City Football League ground.