Dr. Chung Mong-Joon FIFA vice President and the President of Korean Football Association	Dr. Lee Hong-Koo Former Prime Minister of South Korea and the Chairman of the 2002 World Cup Bidding Committe

The Vice President of the World Football Governing Body (FIFA) and President of Korean Football Association Dr. Chung Mong-Joon will arrive in the country today for a two-day visit.

His visit is on an invitation extended by the Chairman of the Management Committee FFSL Manilal Fernando. This was disclosed at a press briefing held at Football House on Tuesday.

Fernando explained that he was deeply depressed by the Lankan soccerites' performance at the recently concluded South Asian Soccer Championships in Pakistan. As the FFSL needs to correct the position he has decided to consult foreign experts to remedy the situation. "With this in mind I extended this invitation," said Fernando.

Fernando said what Sri Lanka needed at this juncture is to get the maximum possible from whoever is willing to support us. Dr. Chung Mong-Joon is an expert sports administrator who played a vital role in organising the World Cup in the Asian region. Under his leadership Korean soccer has reached great heights and was able to reach the semis on four occasions.

"Under his guidance Koreans soccer has got the best technical know-how and expertise which they are readily willing to part with the Asian region countries," said Fernando. "Dr. Chung has confirmed his support to develop soccer here and to find solutions to the problems the country faced in promoting the game and also promised to provide technical assistance."

"As Dr. Chung is interested in the sport in the Asian region and he is sure to assist us in any way possible in developing the game here," Fernando said.

"When the country was hit by the tsunami disaster in December 2004 the Korean Soccer Association under his leadership donated a sum of 50,000 US dollars as assistance on a request made by the FFSL," said Fernando.

"After consultations with Dr. Chung I hope to send coaches to Korea to gain experience by working with Premier League coaches there, from which our local coaches would part their knowledge to others here. If things go the correct way some of our players too could get the opportunity to play in Korea," Fernando continued.

Dr. Chung is accompanied by Dr. Lee Hong-Koo who served as the Chairman of the World Cup Bidding Committee and later worked tirelessly in hosting the WC in Korea and Japan.

The duo is to meet President Mahinda Rajapakse, Minister of Sports Jeewan Kumaratunga and Minister of Industries Rohitha Bogollagama. Their meetings are arranged to find ways for investment programs in Sri Lanka.

On Saturday, they are expected to visit Kalutara to have an on the spot view of progress made on tsunami affected areas, which were funded by them.