Former football chief Ranjith Rodrigo brands Jaswar Umar a dictator | Sunday Observer

Former football chief Ranjith Rodrigo brands Jaswar Umar a dictator

1 January, 2023

Former president of Sri Lanka Football (SLF) Ranjith Rodrigo said the sport is in a bad state and blamed the current administration for the current mess.

He made the remarks at a media conference held at St. Benedict’s College Sports Club in Kotahena on Wednesday.

“Since (incumbent SLF president) Jaswar Umar assumed office he has not taken any steps to develop the sport or any other program to serve the game of soccer in the country. Forgetting all the promises he made before his election Jaswar has been having his henchmen around for their services and was working according to their guidance,” said Rodrigo who claimed that Jaswar had spent millions in money and failed even to pay the Leagues and Clubs.

“Jaswar has not even given a ball to schools though his vision was to promote school football. During his tenure many of the Ex-Co members requested for reports of Committees appointed by him for the promotion of the game. He spent money on these Committees and not a single report was forwarded to the Ex-Co though there were many requests made,” said Rodrigo.

“He (Jaswar) made arrangements to recruit many of his friends and paid them higher salaries without gaining the approval of the Ex-Co. The FA Cup Championship never saw the light of the day. Almost every League used to conduct their annual League tournaments but for the last two years none of the Leagues were able to conduct these tournaments as planned,” said Rodrigo.

He questioned what happened to the footballs purchased at a cost of Rs. 1 million and why another Rs 1 million was paid for a song to be sung at a four-nation tournament without the approval of the Ex-Co.

Rodrigo described Jaswar as a dictator who indulged in what he called “irregularities” with the hope of implementing a new Constitution so he can stay on for a longer period.

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