FFSL gearing to continue operations using technology - Jaswar Umar

By Susil Premalal

General Secretary of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) Jaswar Umar yesterday said that they are gearing up to continue with the post Covid-19 operations using technologies.

“We are currently planning to continue some of our activities through on-line methods using the internet and other smart phone technologies,” he said

“We have already begun a referee’s preparation course via video technology where 30 top referees taking part once a week with live discussions, real match situation analysis and new amendments to the laws.”

“They were given home-works and online exams with a set deadline and all of them are enjoying this new methodology” he further added.

Meanwhile, the Super League a new Indian Premier League (IPL) type professional football competition designed by FFSL have been postponed to the latter part of this year according to Umar, the mastermind behind this new competition.

“Our day-to-day operations are stalled like other organisations due to the current outbreak. Our regular competitions, National Team trainings, youth competitions, Women’s football activities, coach educations and referees’ courses were affected, and we will look at alternative solutions for our activities when the situation of the country improved,” he stated.

Sri Lanka Men’s National Football Team was scheduled to play three more FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualification round matches with North Korea, South Korea and Lebanon and all of them were rescheduled by FIFA.

According to the General Secretary, FFSL is now preparing to conduct an online ‘D’ certificate coaching courses soon.

Applications will be sought from interested participants by technical department in the next few weeks.

The selected participants will be provided with online real time lectures using video technology and an online exam will be conducted at the end of the course.

Those who pass the exam will be shortlisted and a practical test will be conducted by the end of the year. Those who pass both theory and practical examinations will be awarded with the certificates.

“We are already in communication with FIFA and provided some suggestions on relief work to clubs, players, referees and coaches.”

“They are positively assessing our suggestions. I am incredibly positive we will hear some good news from FIFA in the next few weeks. Once we hear from FIFA we will provide with a very good relief package to all who are affected during this pandemic.”

It was also leant that FFSL General Secretary has swiftly assisted for some Sri Lankan players and coaches who are stranded in Maldives through his Maldives counterpart, Maldives FA.