Yasa’s aim is to unite the warring factions in Netball
Former netball queen and Sri Lanka netball captain turned coach Yasa Ramachandra took reins of the Sri Lanka Netball Association (SLNA) last Wednesday with the main objective of uniting the netball fraternity.
Yasa Ramachandra
This is the very first time Ramachandra, who has earned a good reputation in netball as a player, coach and official, was elected to lead the divided SLNA. “I was persuaded by many of my friends who wanted me to contest for the top post of SLNA. I really was in two minds because I actually had no plans to come into netball administration knowing how divided it was. After many months, my stance changed, after outgoing SLNA president Lakshmi Victoria and Yasmin Dharmaratne really convinced me to contest,” an overjoyed Ramachandra told the Sunday Times.
On Wednesday former Sri Lanka national netball coach and manager, Ramachandra edged former SLNA head Trixie Nanayakkara by two votes. Ramachandra received 15 votes while her only opponent got 13, two less, and took the top position of SLNA for a period of two years.
Ramachandra is well aware of the challenges she has to face during the two years in office. Her prime objective, as stated, will be to bring in former players, coaches and all stakeholders, who had shunned themselves out due to various reasons.
“First of all we have to build up that trust and integrity among us. We need to be transparent in what we do. There are many out there like me, who completely walked out from netball with broken hearts, due to various reasons or due to conducts of others who are not fitting into the sport. Netball is considered the unofficial street-fight place of women officials in Sri Lanka and by the time I step down, my aim is to change that reputation,” Ramachandra added.
Netball in Sri Lanka had faced different styles of turmoil during the recent few years. Disputes marred within the administrative structure of SLNA and eventually it reached the bottom of the chain, the national team. With many coming into take control of the situation, the SLNA annual general meeting last year, was called off, forcing the then Minister of Sports to appoint an interim committee.
With the appointment of Navin Dissanayake as the Minister of Sports the trend of appointing interim committees continued to grow but luckily for SLNA things ended positively, with a fair election.
“If we had the will serve the sport we love, why should we set us apart in different factions or groups? We must unite; give the young lasses the confidence, so netball in Sri Lanka will grow gradually. What has happened during the past many years is not what should have taken place actually. Some were so obstinate that they were under the impression that netball belongs to them. Netball belongs to all girls and women in Sri Lanka, not to one or two individuals,” the administrative veteran of 30 years with the Ministry of Sports said.
Ramachandra is under the impression that the SLNA administration needs to reach the grassroots level while igniting the inactive associations and clubs around Sri Lanka. She also thinks that more competitions at domestic level could help players with more game-time, more opportunities to get to know of their potential team mates in the national squad and justify the selection of players and the coaching staff.
“It won’t be a cakewalk during the upcoming two years for us as the new administrative officers of SLNA. I know we will have to face tough challenges, be in the bad books of certain individuals and expect the unexpected. But I’m glad to say that many of the past national players, officials and well wishers have pledged their support. This really encourages me and my team. I hope others in the set up will assist me in my cause. I’m a straightforward, flexible and understanding individual. I can work with anyone in this trade. I know this is a new field for me but the keyword here is to stay firm and work as a team,” Ramachandra, presently occupied as the Manager of the BOI ground facility at the Free Trade Zone in Katunayake stated.
The Deputy President post was taken by Yasmin Dharmaratne, who was elected uncontested. Prema Kumarihami, Ranjani Hegoda, Champa Gunawardena, Devi Aponso and Chtirangani Samaratunga are the five elected Vice Presidents for the term of 2015-2017. Sanjeewani Wanasinghe is the elected General Secretary while Renuka Kuruppu will take office as the Assistant Secretary. The Treasurer’s position will be decided between Lalitha de Silva and Sudharma Jayawardene by the new officials as both obtained 14 votes each at elections.
Saman Abeywardhana has been elected uncontested for the post of Assistant Treasurer. Deepinalika Prasadi has been elected as the Tournament Secretary while Olivia Gamage will be the Coordinating Officer for the next two years. No nominations have been received for the Assistant Tournament Secretary post and it will be filled by the new officials in due course.