We hope for unadulterated cricket in Sri Lanka
View(s):Cricket originated in the 18TH Century, as a participatory sport for English peasants. Then it developed into Gentleman’s Game. Now the game here is coated with corruption. We no longer want politicisation associated with cricket. At present in our country, cricket is corrupt with a capital C. The main reason for this calamity is the so called player’s agents, with dirty dollar signs, in their eyes.
Some of our top players are under their corrupt clutches; they get hold of the top cream of our players and orchestrate them to such a level, that even the SLC is left dumbfounded. If for example Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, et al have their own agents it’s understandable, because they indulge in individual sports and not team sports representing countries. There will come a day that the higher authorities will introduce one to one cricket, similar to tennis singles. Then our ten thousand runs achievers should by all means have their own agents, be it Baby Austin or whatever. These vicious player agents, who does not care a tinkers curse about cricket are ruining the game of cricket, the top players are sliding and slithering according to their agents’ whims and fancies to fatten their pockets.
My humble request is that, Sri Lanka Cricket should step in immediately and draw a dividing line between the players and their agents, the players have a limited period of playing time no doubt and they should earn as much as they deserve,
It should happen through the SLC and not through their agents.
The game of cricket in Sri Lanka should be restored to the status of a mere sport. One played for fun and watched for enjoyment. Politicisation is a term that we no longer wants associated with cricket. We do not want a sport that literally means that the result is orchestrated.
Cricket for the Sri Lankans gives an avenue to escape from the monotony of day to day life; it also offers opportunities for aesthetic pleasure. The question that surfaces in the context of politicization of cricket is whether this phenomenon is unique to the subcontinent and whether it is possible to depoliticise cricket.
S. Tilak De Silva,
Nugegoda