Football Sri Lanka (FSL) is gearing up for two international tournaments next month and conducted trials but even the national selectors are dancing to the tune of officials, many of whom are Armed Services personnel who are promoting their children to be included in the national pool.
The sixth SAFF Women’s Football Championship is to be held in Nepal from September 6 to 19 while the 2022 SAFF Under-17 Boys Football Championship is to be hosted in Sri Lanka from September 5 to 14.
Ironically FSL has appointed Chaminda Steinwall who has a track record of conceding a walkover when the Sri Lanka women’s football team made its debut a decade ago as head coach of the team again. In a conflict of interest, he is also the Technical Director of FSL. The women’s assistant coach Atukorale is also someone who was fired by the Navy for not delivering results after being in charge for five years while the goalkeeping coach is another failure.
Even the national selectors are giving in to the whims and fancies of FSL who are making changes to the 35-member Sri Lanka women’s national pool. Although trials were held, officials insist three Army players who represented Sri Lanka in sepak takraw be included without any trials.
Meanwhile, five children of FSL officials have come through the back door to the national pool despite not being selected after trials were held last week. (AO)