When I think of local football it’s almost like a dream come true as a little story about Lawrence Fernando comes to mind.
Unknown to the present football generation was Lawrence Fernando the goalkeeper at St. Benedict’s College in 1958. Known for his brilliance between the posts he was picked by Sri Lanka, Ceylon then, to tour Russia. The Director of SBC at that time Rev Bro. Alban Patrick who was a strict disciplinarian refused Fernando permission to tour because Russia was a communist country.
But Fernando’s love to tour made him leave SBC and after the tour of Russia he joined St.Joseph’s College, Darley Road where he continued his studies and became their number one custodian.
In those days the Josephian-Benedictine football encounter was the ‘Derby’ among inter-school football and watching that 1958 encounter between these two schools at Darley Road and the wonderful play by both teams are still vivid in my memory.
The game was evenly contested with the two goalkeepers Lawrence Fernando and Vijay Silva the best among schools in that era that refused to be beaten. When the game was heading for a draw, striker Denzil Walles of SBC took a kick at goal.
When it had goal written on it the way the ball was zooming to hit the net, Fernando made a daring dive and saved it to the joy of the Joes and the disappointment of SBC when the final whistle was blown by Mantara, the best and the most stylish and respected referee of that time. The other referee who had class written all over him was MT Fernando.
Such was the excitement in those days. And now back to today’s local scene and it is heartening to note that the Football Federation of Sri Lanka is putting on their kicking boots to once again bring the game back to its former glory by conducting the ‘SUPER LEAGUE’ the country’s first professional football league in November.
It is said that there is many a slip between the cup and the lip and here’s wishing that the grandiose plans that the local body is working on for the successful kicking off of this inaugural tournament would be a tremendous success.
This tournament has the blessings of the Asian Football Confederation and the 10 teams picked to dribble are – Defenders FC , Sea Hawks SC, Blue Eagles, Renown FC, Ratnam SC, Red Star SC, Blue Star, Up Country Lions and New Youngs SC.
Before going on to further comment on the tournament and teams picked, the writer wishes to quote the General Secretary of the FFSL who is leaving no stone unturned to make this tournament one if not the best conducted by the governing body for football.
‘Professional league is not just another competition. It is totally a new football industry with a professional employment contract for over 300 players, coaches and officials. It also provides new business opportunities to many local entrepreneurs in this new football business’.
While wishing the FFSL all the best in conducting this tournament, it is hoped that everyone concerned will do their best and support this endeavor and make it, one if not the best conducted in these times when most sports are hit by the dreaded virus.
Lack of space does not permit me to continue my homily.
Undoubtedly FOOTBALL is the most popular sport in the world putting other sports to a far second best. Of course the four yearly held FIFA World Cup being the cynosure of all eyes and keeping fans all over the world biting their nails when the action begins to unfold until the final whistle is blown.
World football like good wine needs no bush. But in this article we would like to sing the praises of our local football world that at one time was a hive of activity with administrators, players and spectators working like beavers to keep the game alive and kicking.
With the dreaded Covid-19 kicking most sports off the field but thankfully allowing the game that was once described as being played by the flanneled fools –cricket- to be played in England at the time of writing, thanks to the ICC and the England and West Indies Cricket Boards.
Scrutiny of the teams participating it was somewhat disheartening to note that Saunders Football Club have missed out of the Super League. Known as the glamour boys from Price Park, the club has a rich history behind it and it was a pity they had to miss out.
In the history of the country’s football, Saunders have always been in the thick of it, producing some classic players who were the envy of other players and clubs and who have gone on to dominate and win many trophies that adorn the club’s shelves at Price Park.
When one speaks about Saunders football and its rise to fame a name that cannot be forgotten and should be written in letters of gold in their history is that of PD Sirisena.
Sirisena was a magician with the ball at his feet and had he the opportunities would have walked into any club team in the world. He was a dazzler with the ball and could be described as the local PELE.