Despite unconstrained dedication Yasa sees the blues
View(s):Nine months have passed by since the incumbent President of Sri Lanka Netball Association (SLNA), Yasa Ramachandra took office but she has very little reasons to be contended. The main objective of taking up the top position of SLNA was to unite the brokn family of Sri Lanka netball and very little or virtually no progress has been made by this time on this effort.
Yasa Ramachandra
Ramachandra, an experienced individual in the fields of netball and volleyball has devoted more time on sports than she has done to her own family, which understands her well. Till today the situation within the local netball fraternity remains the same, giving Ramachandra the feeling that she may have taken a wrong step nine months ago. But as it says, every dark cloud has a silver lining and Sri Lanka winning the Asian Youth Netball Championship in Hong Kong has brought a little solace to Ramachandra’s continuing woes, though she is not at all a contended person.
”The experience, to lead a sports association, is good, especially during the past nine months. You learn everyday and this was something new for me. Despite regular tidal waves we are moving on. During this period we hosted two domestic tournaments — in June and November. Besides that we had to send a team for the World Championship. We had just two months for that and decided to send a team so at least the players will gain some exposure, rather not sending one at all. The team lost badly and as usual the authorities get the blame for it, which is unpleasing,” Ramachandra stated.
Many may attempt to rob accolades from this win by stating their contribution in nurturing players may have been the main reason for the accomplishment. But as Ramachandra’s observation over the years, this diversion among the local coaches has been one of the main setbacks in the progress of netball and its administration. To overcome this issue and give it a permanent solution was Ramachandra’s prime objective when she took over, knowing the fact that once it’s been addressed others will fall in line. But unfortunately Ramachandra has become a victim of the virus she intended to slay. All faces she meet everyday within the netball fraternity offer that friendly smile but Ramachandra and her set of administrators have been subjected to heavy criticism over the recent months by certain individuals, who are part and reason of this diversion.
Ramachandra may sound dejected with the daily negative occurrences she come across as an administrator, but she does not speak of herself with regret. Though the efforts of her and her officials are degraded by the unknown, Ramachandra has no worries. Her only worry is something else.
“If I had any lament that would be about individuals who have distanced themselves from me due to misunderstandings. There are close friends and colleagues who have critisised me with others, rather than coming in and having a direct chat with me. Whatever others feel are beyond my control but I’m glad that I still maintain that respect I had and I’m still willing to help netball till my death. I have reached high levels as a player and official and this position was something I never thought of taking up. Many in the fraternity pushed me into this, and I too thought this is one place I never reached in netball. But never thought it would be a crown of thorns,” she stated.
Whatever may be Ramachandra and her team is willing to complete their planned projects within the remaining three months without fail. According to her, though nothing was talked about on the projects other than the wrongs, the present set of administrators headed by Ramachandra have accomplished most of their objectives. Among the remaining workload they are planning to identify new coaches and officials and will have to prepare the national team for the forthcoming Asian Championship. In-between Ramachandra, as she has always been attempting to, will try her best to unite the fraternity until she holds office for the next three months and from then onwards, even as an outsider.