An internal source has disclosed rising tensions within the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) over financial and governance issues. Concerns have mounted following delays in paying the CEO’s monthly salary, reportedly around USD 7,500, which has sparked questions among Executive Committee (ExCo) members about financial priorities amid a restricted budget.

The ExCo members have called for transparency regarding FFSL’s expenditures and expressed dissatisfaction with infrequent meetings, which they argue hinder effective financial oversight. With an impending governance review by FIFA, internal pressure is growing for reforms in financial management to better serve the country’s football development.

While neighboring nations celebrated their grassroots football achievements at the AFC Annual Awards 2023, Sri Lanka’s absence from the accolades underscored the challenges the country faces in football development. The awards, held at the Grand Peace Palace of Kyung Hee University in Seoul, showcased exemplary contributions to grassroots football from Australia, India, and Vietnam, each recognized for their impressive, wide-reaching initiatives.

In contrast, Sri Lanka’s football scene remains beleaguered. Despite electing a new Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) committee in September 2023, the country has seen little progress in grassroots or technical program implementation. The FFSL did organize a “D” License coaching course, yet the lack of tournaments and competitive opportunities leaves newly certified coaches without practical experience.

While the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) “Blue Cubs” initiative targets 35 million children by 2026 and Vietnam’s Football Federation (VFF) continues to grow participation through initiatives like “Football for All,” Sri Lanka is still struggling to create sustainable programs. The contrast is especially stark given the strides taken by neighboring countries, raising concerns among local football stakeholders about Sri Lanka’s diminishing presence in the regional football landscape.

As the nation watches other countries reap the rewards of comprehensive football strategies, there is a growing call within Sri Lanka for FFSL to not only invest in coaching and certification but to also introduce competitive platforms that will give players, especially youth, the opportunity to develop their skills.

The Sri Lankan women’s football team faced a challenging campaign at the 2024 SAFF Women’s Championship, showing potential but ultimately exiting the tournament in the group stage. The team, trained for less than two months and with no friendly matches leading up to the tournament, competed against seasoned teams despite these setbacks.

The tournament started promisingly for Sri Lanka as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the Maldives, thanks to a debut goal by rising star Imesha. However, the momentum faltered in the subsequent matches. Facing Bhutan, the team suffered a 4-1 defeat. Their final group match against Nepal ended in a 6-0 loss, marking the end of their tournament journey.

Unlike other nations, Sri Lanka lacks domestic tournaments for women’s football, and the team’s limited preparation time highlighted this gap. With longer training and practice games against international teams, the Sri Lankan squad could have been better positioned to compete.

Many sports analysts and fans have called for increased support for women’s football in Sri Lanka, including establishing a domestic league and investing in regular training and friendly matches. The dedication shown by the Sri Lankan team, despite the odds, underscores the need for sustainable development of women’s football in the country to ensure competitive performances on the international stage.