'BETTER OFF PLAYING RUGBY'

"'Better to stop playing football - it's not worth it anymore.' That blunt advice comes from a former national footballer after voicing the deep frustration felt across the football community in Sri Lanka.

- By ALLAAM OUSMAN

Honestly, it tells 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 fun, football in Sri Lanka now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads. Years of mismanagement, shady recruitment, and broken promises have left the sport in despair. 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 cash cow for some,” the coach says, while 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.”