Jaswar Umar who beat Dr. Manil Fernando 96 votes to 90 at the FFSL AGM conducted yesterday (30 June) in three separate centres due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions[/caption]
By Ranjika Perera
Jaswar Umar was elected President of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) yesterday (30 June). He received 96 votes, out of a total of 186, as his rival candidate for presidency, Dr. Manil Fernando, son of former football administrative stalwart Manilal Fernando, got six votes less than Umar (90) in a closely-contested election.
The much-delayed FFSL Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place yesterday in three central locations of Galle, Kandy, and Polonnaruwa so as to avoid the risk of having large public gatherings, a health hazard during the pandemic.
Umar was confident leading up to the election too, once telling the media that he was sure of getting as many as 115 votes out of the total number of 186. Though the contest for the FFSL hot seat was closer than he expected, Umar had been thrilled yesterday to get over the line by 96 votes as against 90.
People can change any administration
Exclusively speaking to The Morning Sports after the AGM yesterday, Umar said, “It was a hard-fought election. In the history of Sri Lankan football, this election is one that has shown that people can still make a difference if they have the determination to change any administration. It is the people of this country who won this election, not just me, and, as a result, we will finally see the change we all have been waiting for.”
He added, “I thank Dr. Manil Fernando and outgoing President Mr. Anura De Silva for their cooperation in conducting this election in a fair and just manner and, from now onwards, Sri Lankan football will take a new journey with the motto ‘let’s rise again’, starting from every village to the urban cities of this country.”
He also thanked everyone who supported in holding the election amidst the pandemic.
“I thank Hon. Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, the health authorities, the FFSL staff, and all those who worked hard throughout the last month to conduct this election (amid the pandemic). Now there is new hope for Sri Lankan football. I say, let’s rise again,” added Umar.
‘Live up to the promises’
Dr. Manil Fernando withdrew from the contest after the election of the President allowing Mr. Jaswar to have the team that he wanted. Speaking exclusively to The Morning Sports yesterday, Dr. Fernando said, “It was a close election. Mr. Jaswar had a good manifesto. Now he has the support of the leagues to get the work done. My sincere hope is that he lives up to the promises.”
“I took part in the election because I wanted to do something positive for our football. I wish him all the very best and I hope that he delivers because the fans, the players, and all of us will be watching. In 11 months’ time, there will be another election (next AGM coming up next year) and we will see how football is going to progress under him.”
An infrastructure overhaul
The newly-elected FFSL President Jaswar Umar has held various administrative positions in football before, such as being a senior football referee and football world body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) match commissioner.
His FFSL AGM manifesto, titled “Attract, Invest & Develop, Achieve”, focused mainly on a complete infrastructural overhaul to achieve optimum efficiency.
In it, Umar had also expressed his desire to attract the private sector to invest on football and make the game the No. 1 sport in the island.
We wish Jaswar Umar all the very best for his tenure as President of FFSL!