Sri Lanka football held hostage by politics and corruption: ‘Better Off Playing Rugby’

Playing rugby is a better option for kids (File photo)

By Allaam Ousman

“Better to stop playing football - it’s not worth it anymore.”
That blunt advice comes from a former national football star, voicing the deep frustration felt across the football community in Sri Lanka. 
“Honestly, I tell parents and fans now — if your child is interested in sports, guide them to rugby instead. There’s no future in football anymore,” he laments.
Once full of promise, football in Sri Lanka now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads. Years of mismanagement, shady recruitment, and broken promises have left the sport in disarray. The system is no longer about nurturing talent — it’s about maintaining power.
The root of many current issues, according to insiders, can be traced back to when former national coach Amir Alagic introduced the practice of selecting foreign-based players with Sri Lankan roots. 
“He began bringing in players from clubs he had ties with. A few blended well with our domestic talent, but others were clearly below standard. It wouldn’t be surprising if some of them paid their way into the squad — that’s the reality now.”
In a scathing remark, the veteran likened the current selection process to a “diaspora business model” where playing for the Sri Lankan team has become a tool for players to boost their profiles abroad. “It’s not about national pride anymore — it’s a calculated career move for some. The coach gets his payment, and they get an international cap.”
Alagic’s attempt to instill attacking football was ultimately undermined by the internal politics of the federation. “He had a vision — but it didn’t match with the power plays and hidden agendas within the system. So, he was pushed aside.”
Things haven’t improved under current coach Abdullah Al Mutairi. His suspension during the AFC World Cup qualifier against Thailand exposed another troubling flaw — the complete lack of qualified support staff. 
“There was no technical backup on the bench. Just a couple of trainers and a goalkeeping coach. No assistant. It was a joke.”
The absence of a competent support staff raises serious questions. “Anywhere in the world, the head coach needs a technically sound assistant. What if the coach falls ill or is hospitalised? 
How did we go to a World Cup qualifier without a proper bench?However, FFSL President Jaswar Umar was reportedly sitting on the bench. 
“If the team had been made up of local players who had played together for years, they might’ve figured things out without a coach. But when 15 players are from different countries, only the coach knows the tactics, the strengths and weaknesses of both teams.
Without him, it’s chaos.”
The fallout has been public. “His former assistant Amanullah fell out with him. Even Rumy refused to work under him. This isn’t how you run a national team.”
Questions are also being asked about baffling team selections. “Against Thailand, the starting XI included six forwards, three midfielders, and just one defender. Who’s picking these lineups? Do they even know football?” asked a former national selector.
Beyond the national team, the domestic structure is crumbling. “We have eight elite schools producing real talent — Royal, Trinity, Zahira, Wesley, St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, and others. In rugby, a kid from a small school can still make it big with a scholarship or hostel placement. In football, we don’t even have that kind of pathway anymore.”
The focus of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) under Jaswar Umar, officials claim, has shifted entirely away from grassroots development. “They’re only interested in polishing our image abroad. International appearances, glossy projects — that’s all they care about. Local players are being ignored. No leagues, no proper domestic tournaments,” claimed another official.
This obsession with prestige is now materialising in the form of another grand project: an international stadium in Negombo. The stadium project has been revived again with AFC and FIFA support — this time in Negombo. 
The last time, they were dreaming of building one in Port City when the Rajapaksas were in power. And now, with the sports ministry starved for funds, any flashy proposal is welcomed without asking if it’s even necessary.
The criticism is sharp: “Why not refurbish Sugathadasa Stadium or Racecourse? Why pour millions into a new stadium in the middle of nowhere, when the real crisis is on the ground — where kids are quitting football and looking for something that actually gives them a future?”
He also points to a growing silence among critics. “Officials who once called out Jaswar’s misdeeds are now turning a blind eye. Maybe it’s because their terms are almost up and they don’t want to rock the boat.”
Even Sri Lanka captain Sujan Perera is reportedly being persuaded to stay on because he’s the only one who can sing the national anthem. “Is that what our standards have come to? We’re holding on to a player for his language skills.”
What emerges is a grim picture: a sport hijacked by political manoeuvring, used to serve personal ambitions, and stripped of opportunity for those who truly love it. Leagues were promised Rs. 1 million each during elections, but, as one club president put it, “we didn’t even get the toffee wrapper.”
The question that now hangs in the air — will the government, elected to fight corruption, finally step in to clean up the mess?

The Sri Lanka team card for the AFC World Cup Qualifier against Thailand