The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) says it will go all out to improve the standard of the game after having gone through a no-win period for the past few years while enticing foreign based players of Sri Lanka heritage to join the team.
They have succeeded in obtaining two foreign based players and are negotiating with 11 others.
The FFSL is also seeking to increase its support staff as well and in their latest move have appointed Ransilu Jayatilleke as the fitness trainer on a temporary basis. Jayatilleke was Sri Lanka’s ace power lifter who won gold medals in the sport at various international events including the Commonwealth Games in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The FFSL is moving further and hopes to appoint a foreigner as fitness conditioning trainer and has already brought in Anis Doksanaltic as the goalkeeping coach.
Amir Alargic also of Bosnia is the new Technical Director assisted by FA Cup winning coach Mahinda Galagedera. Alargic is also the current head coach of the team and he is expected to commence working with the players soon. His mission when taking over will not just be consultant for the FFSL but also building up a plan to develop football in the long run. Holding citizenship in Bosnia, Herzegovina as well as Australia, Alagic has a rich coaching career spanning 25 years, having coached clubs in Australia, Bosnia, Germany, USA, Brunei, India, Oman and Sweden.
“With all these new appointments we hope we will meet with success in the near future,” said Anura de Silva the FFSL president.