Football Federation of Sri Lanka promotes sports tourism

• Facilitates tour of Swiss football team

 The Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL), the governing body of football in the country, has initiated a 14-day sporting tour for the ‘Football Without Borders’ team from Switzerland which embarked on a goodwill tour to Sri Lanka which commenced on 18 November. 

The sporting tour by the Swiss team will continue until 2 December.

FFSL aims to promote football in Sri Lanka and to raise awareness among youngsters about football, as many local clubs will garner exposure from the visiting foreign team. The tour will also serve to promote Sri Lanka not only as a destination in terms of tourism but also to promote sport tourism. One of the key objectives here is to increase awareness about the diversity and rich culture of the country.

“At FFSL, we want to use opportunities like this to interact with European-based clubs and other organisations with a view to support football in Sri Lanka in terms of development programs and exposure. We are delighted about this opportunity as there are many former professional players accompanying this team. The ‘Football without Borders’ team will also be engaged in a few charity-related activities during the tour, extending their engagement in Sri Lanka beyond football. We feel that the tour will also help to position Sri Lanka in Europe in terms of a great tourist destination as well as for sports tourism which will certainly gain additional foreign revenue for the country,” said FFSL President Anura de Silva, who was instrumental in making the Swiss team’s visit in Sri Lanka a reality.

The team will be touring the length and breadth of the country with friendly matches being organised in the districts of Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Gampola, Nuwara Eliya and Matara. The Swiss team comprises 25 members including team captain Gianni D’Agostino with 16 players and a staff team of eight which includes media and photography personnel and a physician. Among them are President Hüssu Matur, Coach Marco Gähler, Spokesman Albi Saner, Physiotherapist Kathrin Arnold and ‘Football without Borders’ photographer Stephanie Marti. 

The goal of ‘Football Without Borders’ is to reduce the borders between states through sport by continuing to develop football in countries with few resources and equip teams with basic requirements such as footballs, jerseys, pants and socks. In the process, they wish to create awareness about the culture, land and people and allow mutual insight into the team’s culture as well. Through synergies with relief organisations and football clubs, they also strive for sustainable cooperation.

Emil Franklin Kronemberg, Chairman of ECD Holidays which partnered FFSL for the Swiss team’s visit in Sri Lanka, said that his team of holiday specialists was excited to be a part of this great tour and was passionate about planning and organising innovative programs that match the client’s needs and budgets.

“We look for new ways to improve our services, while remaining committed to perpetually moving forward to meet and exceed the evolving needs and expectations of our customers and partners. We wish team ‘Football without Borders’ a fruitful stay in Sri Lanka!” he added.