Sri Lanka Football reveals 3-year plan with Qatar Football Association

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Football is planning to launch a well-structured “3-year development plan” - a special project in association with Qatar Football Association (QFA) and world famous Aspire Academy of Qatar.

This project will be a massive milestone in Sri Lankan Football history where all national teams 

including women teams will be brought under one umbrella with uniform strategies of training 

plans to create a Sri Lanka way of playing football in the future.

Two prominent figures in the world football industry Andrew Morrison, the Manchester City 

legendary captain and Keith Stevens, Scottish player with over 547 professional appearances 

in the English Football League were appointed to take charge to execute the national teams 

related components within this massive project. Marcus Ferreira who was the fitness coach 

during the 1995 gold cup glory has been appointed as the fitness coach for this project.

Another Football FIFA Legend Tim Cahill (former Australian World Cup Captain) will 

oversee the entire project as the “Chief Football Officer and Project Director” on behalf 

Aspire Academy who will ensure the services of many experts are obtained for this project at 

various stages.

The project will comprise of many components for Development Strategies for National 

Teams, Reforms in Competition Structure, Elite Coach Education & Mentoring, establishing a 

vibrant Grassroot & Youth Football Structure, Exchange of expertise and Scholarships to 

talented players to play in overseas leagues.

Morrison and Stevens are already in Colombo, observing and assessing the players, training 

facilities of the current national team. They are advising and supporting the local coaching staff 

in the preparation of the team. Both coaches will travel with the team to Qatar Training Camp 

from 23rd May to 3rd June 2022 and will accompany the team to Uzbekistan from 4th to 14th 

June 2022. They will also support the local coaches in preparing the game plans, assessments 

of players and analyse the games as an interim arrangement.

Upon completion of the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers in Uzbekistan, both coaches will submit a 

comprehensive report on their findings to the management and to the QFA with their 

recommendations for the next step of actions.

The senior management of FFSL, both coaches and an expert group from Aspire Academy will 

take part in a review and planning meeting in Qatar in which the final program is set to launch 

officially.

This will be a legacy project for Qatar Football Association, Sri Lanka Football, Aspire 

Foundation and to the coaches who are involve in the project with the positive impacts in 

football. Sri Lanka is ranked at 205 in the international ranking and will set to climb up within 

short period with this special project.

“I am extremely proud and humbled to introduce this legacy project to the people of Sri 

Lanka as part of my duty to uplift the game I loved throughout my life. I also thank QFA 

President Shaikh Hamad bin Al Khalifa Al Thani, CEO of Aspire Academy and Aspire 

Foundation, Tim Cahill for coming forward to support this project by covering all costs 

related. A special thank goes to the people of Qatar for supporting the people of Sri Lanka 

during these difficult times in the country.” FFSL President Jaswar Umar stated to the media. 

“We warmly welcome Andrew Morrisson, Keith Stevens and Marcus Ferriera to this 

beautiful country and a ‘big thank you’ for all of the for coming forward to assist developing 

Sri Lankan Football” President Jaswar Umar further added.

A goalkeeping coach is set join the team very soon during this projected and an official launch 

of the project is set to take place in July this year.

Sri Lanka National Team will undergo an overseas training camp in Qatar before they travel to 

Uzbekistan for the competition.

Competition Dates: 8th to 14th June 2022 in Uzbekistan.