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| Saturday, 08 January 2005 |
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On the initiative of AFC VP Manilal Fernando: FIFA and AFC to score for tsunami victims by Bernard Perera The tsunami disaster victims in Sri Lanka are to benefit from the Asian Football Federation and World's soccer governing body FIFA by way three hundred houses. This was disclosed at a press briefing held at the Football House yesterday. Manilal Fernando, FIFA Development Officer and Vice President Asian Football Confederation addressing the media said that FIFA Boss Joseph Sepp Blatter promised a sum of 2 million US dollars for the Football Family Tsunami Relief Fund. In addition another two million dollars for the development of the game in the devastated areas. He said that most of the soccer players in Sri Lanka are from the coastal belt and many of them are in need of some kind of help. These funds will be used to construct houses of players who lost their houses and other belongings. The first step will be for them. This will be further expanded and all victims will benefit from this Fund, he said. Soccerites of these areas who lost their soccer equipment will be supplied with all necessasities to continue the sport. He said Kalutara alone lost 31 houses belonging to soccerites of Kalutara FL. Fernando continuing said FIFA Boss has agreed to conduct charity matches to expand the fund to 10 million dollars. Charity matches are to involve Brazil, Germany, England, France and Argentina. All funds he said would be diverted to the Relief Fund organised by the Football Federation of Sri Lanka. Fernando speaking further said the donation from the Asian body too will be expanded by organising charity matches between Japan and South Korea. Already the Tiger Cup final match proceeds are to be added to the Tsunami Relief Fund. He said that already the plans for the new houses have been completed. The organising committee headed by him is awaiting the land allocation for the construction of these houses. He, said that most of the victims are people who used the sea and beach for their living. As some of them don't want to go out of the area as all their equipment for fishing has to be kept close to the sea. This has became a problem for us. Still we are of the view that this can be overcome with the time passing of time. He said the Football Family Tsunami Relief Fund is to continue with the good work by introducing a project by setting up five villages for the victims with all amenities. This, he said will be undertaken as early as possible with funds pouring in for the fund. Locally, we hope to introduce a gate fee of Rs. 20 for all premier league matches with the intention of swelling the fund further. Monies collected by a raffle amounting to 10 lakhs too will be forwarded to the fund he said. The Football Family Tsunami Fund requests all assistance from well wishers too. Its main intention being to pull out all displaced persons to live in normal lifestyle as quickly as possible. The Football Federation will go all out to help all victims alike said chairman of the Relief Fund Committee Manilal Fernando. |
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