Emphasis to school cricket – Nishantha Ranatunga
On the eve of the Annual General Meeting of Sri Lanka Cricket to be held today, candidate for President, Nishantha Ranatunga spoke to the press of the plans that his team hopes to implement in developing the game of cricket in Sri Lanka on their election to the SLC.
Pic by Anuradha Bandara
Addressing the press yesterday at the Colts Cricket Club Ranatunga said that his team consisting of past cricketers, good administrators and a Treasurer with over 40 years expertise in the financial field, their main target is to take Sri Lanka cricket to the top spot in the world. He also said that their main objective is the upliftment of schools cricket.
Schools will be provided with adequate funds which will help the smooth running of the game at school level.
He further said that his team will make every effort to increase the number of contracted players to at least 100 and will implement a benefit scheme for the past cricketers who are in need of help.
Women’s cricket will be boosted and a plan to encourage more girls schools to take part in the game will be introduced. An insurance scheme will be introduced for the socio-economic security of the players.
Arjuna Ranatunga addressing the press said that every effort will be made to maintain a high standard of discipline as he is a firm believer in it. They will make a strong effort in curbing match-fixing and corruption among players and officials.
He too said that schools cricket will take a special place in their administration and plans are already made for implementation.
The world cup winning captain went on further saying that club level cricket should be improved as the world cup was won mainly on the performances of club cricketers.
He referred to two main book makers in the country who will make every effort to drag the players to corruption and but under their regime Sri Lanka cricket will be clean and will be played to the best traditions.
Special interest will be paid for the improvement of club cricket and its players as they are the ones who have a hand in every cricketing success. Provincial cricket will be given a boost and women’s cricket too will be improved.
Answering a question by the press about an advisory committee to monitor the movements of SLC Arjuna said that he sees no harm in having such a committee as it will only be an advisory one and not an administrative one.
Answering further Arjuna said their first task is to find a good coach to pull Sri Lanka cricket out of the sad situation it has sunk to at present.
With a team of knowledgeable former players, good administrators and with a talented financial controller Sri Lanka cricket will be moved along the correct path and will be sure to climb to the top under their regime concluded a confident looking former Lankan skipper.