Football: FFSL elections postponed again

The election of office bearers at the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) has been postponed for the fourth consecutive time within the phase of 10 days due to the current COVID 19 enforced lockdown in the country. 

The FFSL election was supposed to be held on June 7 at the BMICH in Colombo, but due to the restrictions currently in place, it has been postponed indefinitely.

Earlier the FFSL elections were planned for May 30 and was later postponed for June 1. 

With the lockdown and travel restrictions coming into effect from May 25, the election was put off for June 7, the date when the travel restrictions were to be eased.

After the extension of the lockdown until June 14, the FFSL officials had no other alternative but to postpone its elections to a further date.

"We have requested a new date from the relevant authorities, which includes health, security and other important sectors involved in taking decisions on such related matters due to the pandemic. So far, we have not received any feedback from any of them," Anura de Silva, the outgoing President of FFSL told TimesOnline.

Sports and Health officials have advised the FFSL to conduct the elections via Zoom Technology, but de Silva they cannot do so.

"Usually our elections are held as secret ballots under strict observation from AFC and FIFA. Practically we will not be able to conduct elections under Zoom Technology because of that. But we will make sure to conduct the election at its earliest no sooner we get the approval from the relevant authorities," he added.

A new date for the FFSL elections will be announced most likely after the lockdown and travel restrictions are eased after June 14. 

The elections will be held with representatives from FFSL's affiliated leagues with voting rights.

The outgoing General Secretary, Jaswar Umar and Dr. Manil Fernando, the head of FFSL's Medical Committee are in contention for the top position with former boss Ranjith Rodrigo and outgoing chief Anura de Silva aligning with the two candidates for the position of Vice President and Secretary General respectively.