Reintroduce under-23 squad

By Gamini Perera

With the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) opting to go professional next year, the time to seriously consider building a vibrant under-23 squad has surfaced.

It must be remembrered that in1988, the FFSL under the presidency of the late Weerasinghe Mallimarachchi introduced an under-23 'B' international football team. This side led by Ananda Kumar Anthony Pillai led a strong side to the Sultanate of Oman in August, 1988. The touring team besides, skipper Anthony Pillai included five other national poolists in Sampath Perera, B.R.A. Preena, O.P.A. Caldera, Rohita Wijesekera and Sudath Chandana.

Our view is that the senior national team should not be flogged through its participation in numerous competitions throughout the year. Hence, the tendency to dilute the talent of gifted players has now become a serious concern.

The senior national team is persently forced to perform at regional and Asian level, in World Cup qualifiers, the Olympic Qualifying tournament, to mention the least.

Strong U-23 side

Building a strong under-23 squad will enable the FFSL to enter this team for some of the events, including those at regional level.

On the part of the FFSL, it has clearly laid-out a progressive and systematic scheme of development of players, from youth to senior level.

Now, we have competitions in the under-14, under-16 and under-19 age groups. It is from these competitions that the juniors should graduate to the Olympic team, which is restricted to the under-23 age group. The more gifted players from the junior teams must be absorbed to the professional league and the senior national team.

Quality players

It is important for the professional league and the senior national team that these talented players be confined to these two competitions in order to protect the league and the clubs while ensuring quality players in the national team.

The other major benefit to be derived from having a strong under-23 team is to help ensure a stronger senior side. This can be as easily done with the current structure available to Asian football - the age group tournaments.

The assessment of under-23 teams in our region reveals a lack of systematic and co-ordinated approach towards the development of players who will eventually make the team. This simply means that we are not getting quality players at the senior level. The under-23 squad must have adequate exposure in terms of good competitions.

Discard attitude

The FFSL discard the attitude that the under-23 team would not be able to hold their own in certain tournaments. If they are not tried, we will never know. If the players are not given the opportunity to compete they will never develop confidence. Ultimately, this will show up clearly when they are thrown in at the deep end of top level competition, once they graduate to the senior national team.

To help national associations like the FFSL, to develop a vision for the development of their under-23 teams, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is pushing hard for al regional events, such as the SEA Games and the Asian Games, to tailor their football competition to under-23 players. The East Asian Games is now an under-23 event.

Royal's boxing captains meet

By Bernie Wijesekera

It was an unique occasion, for five of Royal's past boxing captains in the 60s, who did proud for their school in the ring winning many bouts in their weight classes in the Stubbs Shield schools championship against tough opponents.

Unlike today, the standard of school boxing was very high and competitive. Besides they have represented Sri Lanka, (Ceylon Schools) in the Indo-Ceylon meet which was an annual contest in the past.

It was a rare occasion meeting them at a dinner and a get-together. They not only excelled in this noble art of self defence, but did well to win laurels in other disciplines, too. These pugilists of yester-year, namely, G.Edward S. de Silva, Metha Abeygunawardena, F. Rahman, P.Ramarachandran and P. Theivendran had the brawn to match their opponents in the ring with their scientific skills. Also excelled with their books in the classroom. All of them acted with responsibility and were senior prefects.

Harmony and togetherness was the key to their success in latter life. In their chosen professions, are currently serving in multi-national companies as senior directors. Todate they continue to help their alma mater in its activities.

Three of them are serving the country as Volunteers in the three Armed Forces. Edward de Silva and Metha Abeygunawardena are contemporaries of the present Minister of Sports, Lakshman Kiriella. Abeygunawardena said that they will be holding a felicitation dinner to Kiriella and will strive to give a facelift to boxing not only in the school, but at national level.

In the past Sri Lanka was held in high esteem and won much fame for the country whilst excelling in meets held in the Asian region. 'We are prepared to give whatever support to the ABA, headed by T.Thangavelu. The sport has to be promoted at grassroots level. In the process Sri Lanka could produce scientific boxers. This get-together by the five past boxing captains of Royal, is part of their promotion campaign," Abeygunawardena said.

Promote welfare of cricketers

By a spokesman for Sri Lanka Association of cricketers

Since the inauguration of our Association speculation has been rife with many viewpoints being expressed which unfortunately do not reflect what the association really stands for.

On behalf of the Association, I wish to inform the Cricket-loving public of Sri Lanka of some salient features to put matters in the correct perspective. The inaugural General Meeting was held on December 1, at Hotel Taj Samudra. Over fifty past and present Sri Lankan Test, One day and First Class Cricketers who were present enrolled themselves as the Founding Members.

The primary objective of the Association is to promote and safeguard the welfare of the players. An Association of Cricketers is not a new phenomenon in the global context. Many Test playing nations have such bodies to promote the interest of players. The creation of new associations is actively encouraged by he Federation of International Cricketer's Association based in London. They hold the view that all Test playing countries should establish players associations to be affiliated to FICA and thus create a cohesive international forum for the benefit of players.

These Associations have progressed doing yeomen service to players. The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) is one such professional body which has taken giant strides towards the realisation of it's declared objectives.

Today, Cricket is a profession. Thus, like in any other fields of activity, members must acquire and maintain a certain degree of professionalism which is an essential pre-requisite. Professionalism in Cricket should inter-alia focus on maintaining high standards of behaviour on and off the field upholding the spirit of the game which unfortunately has deteriorated as a consequence of commercialism without direction.

Whilst being concerned with the welfare of the players, we intend to play this role in responsible manner. It is not our intention, as has been claimed by some, to function as a Trade Union which denotes an organised union of workmen for the protection of their rights and privileges, especially wages. Of course, the association would naturally concern itself in ensuring that the players do get a fair deal at all times. After all, in Cricket they are the ones who matter most.

In the context of modern day complexities and intricacies of Cricket they are the ones who matter most.

In the context of modern day complexities and intricacies of Cricket the association will give priority attention to.

oPromote the welfare of National and Club Cricketers.

oFoster the values of fairplay, integrity, stature and independence of professional Cricketers.

oPromote a greater duty-consciousness among players.

oDevelop a higher degree of professionalism and competitiveness among players.

o Formulate Career Education Programmes for players.

oEstablish a Retirement Fund, Endowment Fund, Corporate Hospitality System and Sponsorships.

Whilst our mission is to improve the well-being of current players the association will also focus on the past Cricketers as well. The Association will endeavour to improve the sustainability of Cricketers through a remuneration scheme and develop Terms and Conditions in contracting Players at all levels. The introduction of uniform insurance policies and the maintenance of minimum safety standards at Cricket grounds will also receive priority attention.

It is a well-known fact that after refivement most Cricketers face a sort of cultural social and economic shock. Loss of recognition, social status and economic setbacks can be a traumatic experience to many retired players. The association will extend a helping hand to such members to overcome problems of this nature and guide present players to be prepared for their future after retirement.

Good move by S.Africa

By Bernie Wijesekera

Former South Africa's captain and one-time 'golden boy' Hansie Cronje who was involved in match-fixing has disgraced this noble game of character building for material gain.

He was banned for life by the United Board of South Africa on Oct. 11.

Australia's ice-cool captain Steve Waugh, who is leading the Kangaroos by example on and off the field has applauded the stand taken by the UCBSA for this strong action. It will help the game to rid from corrupt elements Cronje, probably may still face criminal charges at home and abroad.

Cronje, led a religious life and believed in Faith, but he succumbed to ill-gotten material gain and disgraced and tarnished his entire life. He has contributed much to uplift S.A. image after apartheid as player and captain. He led the team from the front for S.A. to emerge as a leading cricketing nation.

A devout Christian, he should have tried to be happy with what he has rather than get lured for ill-gotten wealth.

Hansie, is not the only player, who is involved in this disgraceful episode. Pleasure is not happiness.

The end result is misery and suffering.

Money is not everything in life nor could bring about lasting happiness. It's your virtues that could decorate your life, but not money. This is what these greedy sportsmen should have realised and be happy with what you have and lead a simple path in life.

One must be able to control one's mind. One need not be a Buddhist or Christian. A man who needs food, clothing and shelter can be satisfied, but seldom his unwarranted desires. This is something apparently not only some of the cricketers, who are involved worldwide.

Even the leaders in any country must lead by example for others to emulate. There are three actions in Buddhism - the last is right livelihood, where those involved have failed to realise, due to lust, greed and has put the game to shame.

Had these sportsmen controlled their minds from the evils of greed and lust then they could live with peace of mind and lived without fear and worry.

Even people from any walk of life should try to lead a simple life and be happy with what you have rather than enjoy wine and song at the expense of the down-trodden.

As mentioned by Steve Waugh the S.A. administration should be applauded for their action rather than waiting for an ICC ruling.

Steve, is a great humanitarian, who believes in simple living and human values.

His involvement with the Children's Leprosy Home in India to overcome suffering of others away from home is commendable. When Steve scores a 100, he's not only cheered by the fellow Aussie fans at the venue but also applauded by the poor children in India, who are grateful to him for his loving kindness. He has a heart burning with love.

A trade union for cricketers?

By a Cricket Fan

The formation of a Trade Union by a group of present and former cricketers to look after the interests of first class players has been widely reported in the media. But strangely this historical event has evoked little press comment.

The timing of the launching of this TU and its real motives have raised major questions in the minds of the cricket-loving public. It comes at the same time that cricket fans the world over are reeling from the devastating news about the match-fixing scandal originating from South Africa, India and Pakistan and which now threatens to spread to Sri Lanka as well. They have suddenly realized that some of their heroes who were considered national icons and pillars of society, role models for their children, the champions of the underprivileged, and "rags-to-riches" success stories, are indeed mere giants with feet of clay. They feel cheated and let down because they realize that some of those matches which they watched with so much enthusiasm and patriotism, and for which they paid considerable sums, had been fixed by the very same heroes they were cheering and supporting in the field of play.

In the Sri Lankan context the formation of the TU for cricketers raises too many uncomfortable questions about timing and motives:

Why was the formation of the TU timed just prior to the departure of the national team on their arduous and challenging tour of South Africa?

Why was the announcement of the formation made after the national team left on the South African tour? Why was no press conference or media briefing held to coincide with the launching of the TU? When and where was the meeting convened to form the body? Was a notice issued?

Was the Cricket Board as the governing body of the sport informed in advance or ex post facto? Should not the Board instruct the Manager of the national team on tour to submit a report urgently to ascertain and verify the background to the formation of the TU by interviewing some of the office bearers who are with the team?

Has the TU been registered with any governmental authority or affiliated to any professional organization?

Has the constitution of the TU been published?

Why are retired players involved in a Trade Union whose objective is ostensibly to safeguard the interests of current players?

Why does a TU whose objective is ostensibly to safeguard the interests of sportsmen (i.e., cricketers), need to have political advisors? Should not politics and politicians be the kept away from a body seeking the welfare of sportsmen?

Is it not the right of cricket fans to know and be informed of the raison d'etre of any TU that cricketers form, as part of the income they receive from the Cricket Board is derived from the ticket sales of international matches played at home?

Sri Lankans will be hoping that unlike other local Trade Unions this one will not have any negative connotations. They are aware that most of the national cricketers belong to the highest income bracket in our society, perhaps earning several times more than even the highest paid executives in the corporate world.

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