Sri Lanka Football (SLF) held its Council meeting last week in Jaffna after the semi-final of the Independence Trophy Provincial League match between Northern Province and Eastern Province and it was decided to have their AGM and election of office bearers on May 31 before a new Constitution falls into place.
Incumbent SLF president Jaswar Umar claimed that all arrangements are in place to amend the Constitution that will enable the elected head of football to continue for a period of four years unlike the present Constitution that allows a candidate to seek election annually.
Previously football heads held the position for a period of two years in accordance with the Constitution although former president Anura de Silva served for a period of six years without a break.
At the Jaffna meeting of the Council, 53 of the 64 members voted to amend the Constitution after the May 31 election.
The 53 members who voted in favour of the Constitutional change were in Jaffna at SLF expenses and also received Rs.250,000 each as part of the promised financial assistance for their respective leagues.
Umar said that in the future the Secretary of the SLF will not be an elected member but a staffer who will have to carry out his duties as a paid official. This proposal too will be included in the new Constitution.
He also said that financial assistance to the tune of one million rupees will be provided to each League during the season to go through with their tournament matches.
“Most of them (Leagues) were unable to conduct their tournaments as scheduled due to financial constraints and they will now benefit through these grants,” Umar said.
He suggested that Leagues conduct their tournaments named Gold Trophy and Silver Trophy to encourage more participation.
All 53 delegates who were present were handed Rs. 250,000 as part of the promised financial aid package for the leagues.
Umar further added that school children should be considered by these leagues with the intention of promoting the game from grass root level.
“As proposed after my election women’s football too should be looked after with these funds to attract girls to the sport,” said Umar.