FIFA President Gianni Infantino met Sri Lanka’s Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage, and Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) President Jaswar Umar in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss a comprehensive plan to develop football in Sri Lanka and make it the country’s most popular sport within the next four years.
During the meeting, Minister Gamage expressed the government’s appreciation for FIFA’s support in developing the national and youth teams. He also highlighted the progress made in Sri Lankan football over the past two years and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with FIFA and the FFSL to accelerate the sport’s development.
Infantino reiterated FIFA’s commitment to supporting Sri Lankan football, with discussions focusing on improving sporting infrastructure, developing national teams and establishing a modern, international-standard football stadium.
As part of the proposed development programme, FIFA is expected to provide US$25 million in financial support over the next four-year development cycle. The funding is intended to support national and youth teams, women’s football, coaching and referee development.
Football Stadiums Planned Across the Country
Plans are underway to expand football infrastructure across Sri Lanka, with stadium construction in every district expected to begin next year. The FFSL aims to develop nearly 40 football stadiums through its member leagues by the end of 2031.
The initiative is expected to provide greater opportunities for children and young people to participate in football and strengthen the sport at the grassroots level.
National High-Performance Centre Proposed
The meeting also discussed establishing a National High-Performance Centre in Sri Lanka. Through its partnership with the FFSL, FIFA will support the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with technical expertise and assistance in infrastructure development for the proposed facility.
The centre is expected to help improve athletic performance, raise coaching standards and create pathways for talented Sri Lankan athletes to compete internationally across various sports.
A New Era for Sri Lankan Football
The discussions represent a step towards a coordinated national development programme involving the Sri Lankan government, FIFA and the FFSL. The initiative aims to improve football infrastructure, expand participation and raise the overall standard of the game throughout the country.
The programmes are expected to begin next year, creating new opportunities for players, coaches, referees and local football communities.
The long-term vision is to strengthen Sri Lankan football at every level and make it the country’s most popular sport within the next four years.evelopment.
Football Stadiums Planned for Every District
A major programme is planned to expand football infrastructure across Sri Lanka, with construction of football stadiums in every district expected to begin next year.
In line with this vision, the FFSL plans to develop nearly 40 football stadiums through its member leagues by the end of 2031.
The initiative is expected to create more opportunities for children, young people and communities across the country to participate in football.
National High-Performance Centre Proposed
The meeting also addressed a proposal to establish a National High-Performance Centre in Sri Lanka.
Through its partnership with the FFSL, FIFA will support the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports by providing technical expertise and assistance with infrastructure development for the proposed centre.
The facility is expected to play an important role in developing athletes’ abilities, raising coaching standards and creating professional pathways for talented Sri Lankan athletes to compete at the highest international levels across various sports.
A New Era for Sri Lankan Football
The discussions mark an important step towards a coordinated national programme involving the Sri Lankan government, FIFA and the FFSL.
The initiative aims to broaden participation in football, strengthen sporting infrastructure and improve the overall standard of the game.
The development programmes, expected to begin next year, are intended to expand access to football in every part of the country and create new opportunities for players, coaches, referees and football communities.
At the conclusion of the productive meeting, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage exchanged cordial remarks about the future of Sri Lankan football.
The vision is clear: to build a stronger football nation, take the game to every community and make football Sri Lanka’s most popular sport within the next four years.
