Political meddling hurting performance – Arjuna
Former captain Arjuna Ranatunga says a lack of long-term vision from Sri Lanka’s cricket authorities is ruining cricket in the country.
Since losing the 2011 World cup final, Sri Lanka has had three coaching changes and two captaincy changes, and have won just one Test and a handful of one-dayers in series against South Africa, Pakistan and Australia.
And Ranatunga said political meddling in on-field matters was hurting the team’s performance.
“The key issue is that political interference is bringing the downfall of Sri Lanka cricket,” Ranatunga told ESPNcricinfo.
“You take (former minister) Gamini Dissanayake. He was a very strong minister at that time but he never interfered. He was only a key figure.”
“The cricket part was run by a lot of past cricketers like Abu Fuard, Neil Perera and Nisal Senaratne, who were top class gentlemen and who were very concerned about the game.”
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also in financial strife after running up debts of close to $70 million to finance the building of two international stadiums in Hambantota and Pallekele for the World Cup.
And while Ranatunga believes the country has plenty of talented young players, he said the irresponsible allocation of funds would hurt in the long run.
“I don’t know whether the SLC has a vision,” Ranatunga said. “We don’t plan for the future at all.”
“It’s like they just want to show the country that we are winning and that we are not doing badly. What we should understand is that we are not playing good cricket at all.”
“You have to provide proper facilities to outstation cricketers. We are looking at building stadiums and spending billions and billions of dollars on unwanted areas and creating bankruptcy at Sri Lanka Cricket.”
“You go to a village you can still find a really talented cricketer. We are blessed with talent to keep us going but the way we have invested is not good enough.”
“We are a country without a proper indoor net and a swimming pool for SLC. When I was at SLC we built a new gym. That’s the only thing we are left with. How are you going to compete with countries like Australia, England, India or Pakistan who have the infrastructure for their players?”
ESPNCricinfo
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- 12th International Meeting on Security Matters: High-Ranking officials convenes in Saint Petersburg April 24, 2024
- Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated April 24, 2024
- Damitha Abeyratne and husband granted bail April 24, 2024
- Maithripala Sirisena barred from SLFP chairmanship until trial ends April 24, 2024
- Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi arrives in Sri Lanka April 24, 2024
An understandable outburst. Arjuna worked hard for over a decade to bring that World Cup home. It must be heartbreaking to observe a almost irreversible decline in the game and its administration.
The ICC wants cricket administration to be free of politics. Hence the need for elections to the cricket administration.
Democracy in Sri Lanka has reached a new low in SL under the Kurakkan Satakaya clan. Elections do not mean any meaningful results.
Arjuna, there’s a bit of hope for a future leadership of our land under the fallen General. Please do pursue that path. You remain a shining light to us.
Dear Karma,
If the ICC wants SL Cricket be free from politics, then how come Arjuna from DNF ,ANOTHER PARLIAMENTARIAN is suitable to lead SLC?
Dear Karma,
If ICC wants SLC Cricket to be from politics,how come you recommend ARJUNA TO RESURRECT SLC?
AC is right. Parakrama is talking rubbish, because he is a diaspora Tamil reeking with hatred against our Hon President, for the total annihilation of VP and the LTTE. He is off-loading his vitriol in this website at every opportunity.
I agree with AC that Arjuna, who is an MP is talking party politics on the side of DNF he represents, using cricket as an issue. Were he to crossover to the Government side and be appointed Sports Minister, he would be no different but also interfering in Sports and cricket for his benefit. Infact, he left the UPFA because he demanded the Sports Minister Portfolio and was not given. He then left UPFA in a huff and joined the traitor SF to help form the ridiculous DNF. Do you think a corrupt and immoral soldier has the brains, sagacity and political experience to lead the country on the path to economic victory on fastrack, to be a shining star in Asia?
Hi Auto Crazy,
Please read my blog 1 carefully. I am not advocating Arjuna to lead SL Cricket.
ND,
You seem to have conveniently avoided responding to my earlier request to join the national team and show your colours at batting “carefully” in limited over matches.
Blogger Arap Karma ( the Son of Destiny) has pushed ND into a corner where he is fighting for his survival. Arap professes to be the “the driver of our nation”; he appears to be extremely capable of driving our nation down the correct and prosperous path. Uncle ND has been licking his wounds over the past few days.
O Mr. P.B.Deen,
I refer to Blog No. 1 as requested.
In the first place ,Blogger No.1 is one Mr. Arap Karma.And not you Mr. Deen. By any chance,are you playing a double game in appearing under two different names?
However the question you asked is valid by me.I refer to your last para in Blog 1,where you put Arjuna on a very high pedestal and call him a shining star and extol DNF Parliamentarian to persue the path to bring back SF to power.It is quite obvious SF will to have to offer the ministry of Sports or atleast make him the President of SLC. Hence my inference of Arjuna being promoted by you to lead SLC.