A group of 23 players and five officials representing the Sri Lanka Under-17 team was ready to leave for Uzbekistan. However, they were unable to attend the tournament since the authorities have failed to book the air tickets.

Young players have been deprived of this valuable opportunity due to the current crisis in the Football Federation of Sri Lanka.

Apart from missing the tournament,  Sri Lanka has to pay a fine of Rs.7 million for not taking part in it.

Meanwhile, the Sports Ministry has expressed its willingness in the Court of Appeal yesterday (04) to amend the already issued gazette notification so that the election of the Football Federation of Sri Lanka can be held.

This was conveyed when the writ petitions filed by the president and secretary of the federation requesting to invalidate the gazette notification issued by the Sports Minister cancelling the decision to extend the official term of the federation were called in the Court of Appeal today.

Political commentators are of the opinion that many of the ministers who have been appointed recently have mixed up their duties and functions.