Jaswar Umar wins SL Football presidency in tight election

• Says Sri Lankan football will embark on a new journey with the motto ‘Let’s rise again’, starting from every village to the cities of the country

Jaswar Umar

In what turned out to be a tight election, former senior football referee with the football world body FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Match Commissioner Jaswar Umar was elected as the new President of Football Sri Lanka (FSL).

Umar received a total of 96 votes to narrowly edge out his opposing candidate for the presidency, Dr. Manil Fernando, who received 90 votes.

A total of 186 voters from 62 affiliated leagues were eligible to cast their votes at this election to elect the new football administration where the voting was done by a secret ballot. The election was conducted in three districts namely in Kandy, Galle and Polonnaruwa.

Jaswar was a former General Secretary Jaswar Umar prevailed over Manil, the son of football icon Dr. Manilal Fernando.

Elections Committee Chairperson Rohini Marasinghe declared Jaswar Umar as the new President of Football Sri Lanka at the Galle Polling Station. Subsequently the rest of the nominees, for the other posts on the committee, from the Dr. Fernando’s party withdrew.

According to the existing health policies, the election was held at three locations. Jaswar polled 43 votes at the Polonnaruwa polling station to Manil’s 19 votes. Jaswar obtained 34 votes from Kandy to Manil’s 20. However Manil scored heavily in Galle with 51 votes to Jaswar’s 19, but it was not enough for him to overtake the latter.

There were 186 registered voters from the 62 football leagues across the country and all votes were cast and none were rejected.

The term of office of the newly elected team will be limited to one year and the next election should be held before May 31 next year.

“It was a hard fought election. In the history of Sri Lankan football, this election has shown that people can still make a difference if they have the determination to change any administration. It is the people of this country who won this election, not just me, and as a result, we will finally see the change, we all have been waiting for in the making of football,” Jaswar said after the result was announced. “I thank Dr. Manil Fernando, and outgoing President Anura de Silva for their cooperation in conducting this election in a free and fair manner, and from now on, Sri Lankan football will embark on a new journey with the motto ‘Let's rise again’ – starting from every village to the cities of this country,” Jaswar added. 

He also thanked Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa, the Ministry of Sports, the health authorities, FFSL staff and all those who worked hard over the last month to conduct this election.  “There is new hope for Sri Lankan football – let's rise again,” he added.

Addressing the media, after the election, Dr. Manil Fernando said that they will closely monitor what will happen to football in the future. “I will think a little more about whether to remain in football further and the final decision will be taken in a few days after consulting my family and the people who supported me. I congratulate Jaswar on his victory. I accept this outcome.”

He opined that having the vote in three places was a disadvantages on one hand because he could not talk to those voters. However he said that was not sole reason for his defeat.

The office bearers are President Jaswar Umar, Secretary retired DIG Upali Hewage, Vice Presidents Ranjith Rodrigo, retired DIG P.P. Pathirana, SSP Dilshan Nagahawatta, Arnold Emanuel, Deputy Secretary (Administration) T. Vardharasan, Deputy Secretary (Technology) Abdul Manaf, Treasurer A.F. Cellar, and Assistant Treasurer A. Nagarajan.