Sports Ministry’s munificent grant to SLC to uplift rural cricket
The Sports Ministry for the first time will make a financial allocation to Sri Lanka Cricket, to develop cricket infrastructure in the outstations.
When inquired about this grant Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Nishantha Ranatunga explained “We have requested a grant of Rs.389 million from the Sports Ministry for the Development of Cricket infrastructure in the outstations. The prime reason behind this move is that we have noticed that though there are 110 cricket playing countries in the world, the game in most of these countries could be played during a period of 4-7 months only. We are very fortune that in the Indian sub-continent there is an opportunity of playing the game right through year barring rain. As a result of the time restrictions in these countries there is a huge influx of teams arriving in the island to indulge in the game during their off seasons.”
The Sooriyawewa Stadium located in the Southern city of Hambantota, is one of the venues that has all facilities cricket needs. - File pic
Ranatunga went on to explain that most of the countries now travel to Sri Lanka after the BCCI restricted foreign teams and individuals coming and playing in India recently. He then added “As Sri Lanka’s quality of cricket is high we have become an obvious cricket destination to those teams. In Pakistan there is civil strife and most feel that Sri Lanka is a better cricket destination than Bangladesh. However the only drawback to this windfall is that we do not have proper infrastructure. We have only twenty two cricket grounds that have turf wickets. This includes the respective school wickets too. Besides including the five International Cricket Stadiums, we have only twelve grounds in Sri Lanka which could provide all facilities. So if we could offer better facilities in the outstations it would be a boon to the economies even in those areas. When a team arrives to play cricket in Sri Lanka there is a big contingent of tourists that arrive and they spend for their hotel bookings. Especially when there is a junior team on tour it is not only the team and the officials, but most of the time there is a considerable number of parents who accompany the team, so if the outstation grounds could provide good facilities it would become a good opportunity”
The SLC secretary pointed out that there are frequent visits made by the national cricket teams of Canada, Ireland, Nepal, Afghanistan and Kenya. This is an opportunity to these teams to play against good opposition which the island could provide and an opportunity for Sri Lanka to benefit financially too.
Meanwhile the Minister of Sports confirmed for the first time the Ministry would make a grant for development of cricket. But, did not specify as to how much he intends to allocate. The minister also added that he intends providing 100 side wickets, 100 mattings and one hundred bags of cricket equipment to the schools and clubs in the rural areas.
In addition to the above the Sports ministry will also identify 25 boys and 25 girls between the ages of 14-18 from the districts and provide them all the support to indulge in the game under the Sports Ministry banner.
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