Namal asks Arjuna to help develop Cricket
Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa has requested veteran cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga to support development of cricket in Sri Lanka.
Speaking to media in Matara, Minister Rajapaksa said appointing committees for local cricket is not an answer to prevailing issues, adding such committees have not helped but hindered sports.
He stressed therefore that any sport in the country must be free of politicisation.
Minister Rajapaksa while praising Arjuna Ranatunga as a talented cricketer and a good leader said he had advised the Minister during the Lanka Premier League, adding many of Ranatunga’s proposals were implemented, while others are under consideration.
The Minister of Sports while also stressing that he does not personally believe in the appointment of committees however noted that if such is found to be required it would be implemented.
Minister Namal Rajapaksa meanwhile claimed that grave harm has been caused due to the politicisation of sports after the year 2015.
He stressed the prior to 2015 Sri Lankan cricketers were celebrated across the globe, however adding that due to politicisation since 2015 local cricket has deteriorated.
He stressed therefore that although the situation cannot be changed in a month or two, a long term plan is in place to uplift Sri Lankan cricket to the same standards as before, remarking said plans will not be changed due to any influence.
(Source: News Radio)
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Ord people prefer that appointment of committees / commissions (PCoI) etc, should be stopped immediately for any matters ,whether it is sports or politics or corruption. Existing mechanisms / institutions to be used as they are well planned and set-up for the purpose. In SL, appointing commissions & committes for everything have now become a routine matter ! It is utter wastage of public money, time & employment for loyal / retired people. In foreign countries, it is done very rarely, after very careful study & also considering the public opinion. Because, it means money (short in our country) . Civil societies should put pressure to authorities in power in this regard without further delay ?
Please Minister, Pay the Sri Lankan cricketers and all involved in SL cricket board a basic median salary in line with other professions. Then let them earn unlimited additional bonus on their individual performance. Stop hiring foreign coaches. There are more than enough SL talent and experience in people like Arjuna, Murali, Vass, Bandula and many others. Add these people into a single unit like a committee and preside over them to make sure there will not be infighting, that is our people are very talented at. Sri Lankan Cricket will rise again when people in-charge are people who love the country, have national pride and love cricket.
If there is anyone who can rescue the precarious pathetic situation in Sri Lankan cricket is it is Arjuna. Forget Arjuna the politician. Arjuna is a great leader who can call spade a spade! That said, if he accepts the offer, politicians should take their hands off from Cricket. Then, voting status of several clubs, individual manager status of cricketers, the Cricket Company (according to some news) where cricketers have to contribute a per cent age of their match fees to this Co. (it is alleged Sangakkaara too has shares in this) and domination of certain religious cults should not be encouraged. With strict discipline and with a carrot and stick approach SL Cricket can be rescued. Arjuna will do that.
Yes. Fully agree. Arjuna has the national pride and have no reluctance to stand up to the international cricket bullies. Cricket is not the gentlemen’s game as we are led to believe. Our players should be able to stand up to all the foul things utter on the ground as well as from the pavilions as well. More than anything else, then to respond with the bat and ball. If anybody can teach that art, it is Arjuna. Mahela, Sanga and Murali can teach the lazy buggers that only hard work and using the head as well will make one a great cricketer. We have enough good retired SL players with good connections to foreign clubs. Rather than importing foreign coaches to everything, these people can find placements for talented SL players to go abroad and gain experience in playing outside conditions.
Sport is linked to money in all South East Asian Nations.
In SL, Cricket is in the hands of Bookies.
Impossible to sever that tenuous relationship.
Capt Cool was once a Sports Minister; no visible progression was noted.