The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar has taken on two additional international football leadership positions, further expanding his responsibilities within the South Asian football firmament. This was stated by the FFSL in a media release on Saturday (3).

Umar has been elevated to Senior Vice President of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) and then appointed as the Chairperson of the South Asian Football Competition Committee.

According to the FFSL, these appointments add to his existing international responsibilities and profile, including serving as a Member of the FIFA Grassroots and Amateur Football Committee and as a Member of the AFC Development Committee.

The new positions reflect the growing responsibilities entrusted to Jaswar Umar within the regional and international football community and add another dimension to his work in developing football in South Asia.

Under his leadership at the FFSL, the Federation has pursued a programme focused on strengthening the national team, appointing an international pro-licensed coach-Abdulla al-Mutairi, increasing international match exposure, attracting investments and expanding football development projects.

Sri Lanka’s FIFA ranking has also improved significantly during this period, moving from 207 to 186, a rise of 21 places.

Jaswar Umar has also set out an ambitious vision for Sri Lankan football, with a particular focus on competing strongly at the South Asian level and eventually challenging for the SAFF Championship title, which Sri Lanka last clinched in 1995.

With his expanded regional responsibilities, Jaswar Umar will now have an opportunity to contribute not only to the development of Sri Lankan football, but also to the broader growth of football competitions and development across South Asia, the FFSL stated in its media release.