This is an avenue that Sri Lanka could run�.not walk

View(s):

By Pix by Amila Gamage

Despite the fact that local female athletes have excelled in sports such as netball, they are rarely afforded the opportunities and aid provided to their male counterparts. The Sunday Times set out to learn if the support women’s sports like netball earn is sufficient for their growth and development.

There is not enough support for netball in the country. We need more coaches and better facilities such as indoor courts. Our players also need more international exposure so they can grow and get better. - Shiromi Kuruppu (Former national netball player)	At the (Asian Netball Championships) finals, our netball team lost because the Sports Ministry has failed to give more attention to the game, and players are not provided with necessary facilities and financial support. There are many talented girls in rural areas but they have no way of coming up in the field of sports. - Shamika Keerthisinghe (Works with the visually handicapped)	We see only a few Sri Lankan women participating at international events despite a woman making the country proud by winning an Olympic medal. There are many talented girls and they should be given more opportunities. - K. Pathirana-(Car-shop employee)	There are many talented girls but their talent is limited only to school life. Only a few of them enter the national team because of several difficulties. There are no training facilities or places to stay for netball players when they come to Colombo for matches. - G. Wickremapala (Retired state employee)
Netball is the only women’s game that is well-known in the country, but it is not recognized by sports authorities and sponsors. Our team is one of the world’s best netball teams therefore sponsors should try to promote the game. - Jagath Rajapaksa (Coach of Sri Lanka’s visually handicapped cricket team)	In Sri Lanka, only men’s games are famous and wide coverage is given to games like cricket and rugby. Authorities and sponsors should start promoting women’s games like netball, hockey and basketball. - Hashinka Gomes (Private sector employee)	Only a few schools have facilities for netball and enough space for students to practise. All girls should be given an opportunity to choose a sport, and both parents and school authorities should support them in progressing in the field of sport and not only in education. - F. Christina (Parent)	The netball team has a very talented player from the Northern Province, this is an example that there are more players in rural areas but most of them are unable to reach the national level as they do not have support from authorities. - Rasangika Chandrasena (Student)
When it comes to sponsorship and media coverage, netball is a game which gets little attention. While authorities should provide talented players with financial assistance, sponsors and the media should do their best to popularize the game. - Sudheera Atapattu (Student)			There is a lot of focus on cricket and rugby while many sports are ignored and netball is definitely one of them. - Senel Wanniarachchi (Student)