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| Joining hands for better deeds |
Cricket in Sri Lanka is nothing short of a religion as the following of the game is without doubt a huge factor in the country. Be it in a tiny hamlet in a far off village or at a social gathering or even a political platform the topic of cricket is always discussed and referred to. It was not so long ago that the after effects of bomb blasts got paled into insignificance at the victory the Sri Lankan cricket team gained. Thankfully there are no such bomb blasts today as the country is bustling with freedom. But the point I make here is the immense popularity the game enjoys amongst all and sundry. Actually Sri Lanka used cricket to create a positive awareness in the world as it was otherwise known for a ruthless terrorist campaign, which again is thankfully something of the past.
Now the reason for my brief background information on the popularity and the importance the game in the previous chapter is to emphasize the fact on the importance of nurturing it and maintaining cricket irrespective of petty differences that may exist. Besides the millions of dollars it brings in to the country it also creates plenty of employment opportunities. Not just to the cricketers where around 120 to 150 play professional cricket in the UK but to the support staff of coaches, trainers, physiotherapist’s and managers who are involved at all levels of the game! More reasons for the game to be nurtured and protected!
The question is, is the game in danger after all? How should cricket be taken to the next level? Many past cricketers contrary to the happenings on the field and off it tend to think that the game is facing a real danger. Looking back at the history since the winning of the World Cup in 1996, brilliantly engineered by the then President Ana Punchihewa, Sri Lanka cricket has seen many brilliant and innovative personalities at the helm. Upali Dharmadasa, Thilanga Sumathipala and Mohan De Silva were all proven administrators and they did steer Sri Lanka cricket to achieve many feathers and laurels. There were interim committee’s too with Jayantha Dharmadasa and Arjuna Ranatunga in the recent past along with the current Chairman D.S. de Silva heading them. This proves that there hasn’t been a shortage of capable and proven persons at the top to steer the game in the country.
But besides all these names mentioned and not mentioned I am still not convinced that Sri Lanka cricket has made full use of their former greats to tap in to their vast potential. Let’s focus our attention to 1996 and after! Whilst there were some super cricketers cum capable administrates amongst the pre 1996 players such as Ranjit Fernando, P.I Peries, S. Skandakumar and Sidath Wettimuny to name a few, how many of the champion 1996 team is involved with cricket in the country? Take the case of the Champion captain Ranatunga. It is a pity that he picked on politics which has unfortunately distanced him from the game and also causing his intentions to be viewed through a political frame! He is a man with a proven track record as a player, captain and a strict disciplinarian who stood up for Muralitharan when the bowler was called for throwing. Ranatunga could surely contribute greatly.
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| Aravinda de Silva’s presence with the Lanka teenagers proved to be a tremendous impetus to the youngsters. |
Even if he is not the Chairman of SLC, his knowledge as a player is an asset that Sri Lanka can be proud of and be put to good use. It is indeed a pity that he is in the wilderness of things and not used when foreign countries are looking to use him. The story of Aravinda de Silva his deputy is different. De Silva was hand picked by the current Chairman D.S. de Silva who should be congratulated for that, and his contribution to the U.19 side has been immeasurable. His vast knowledge was lapped up by many youngsters and they have only become better with it. But other than de Silva, Upul Chandana the U19 fielding coach, Romesh Kaluwitharana as the A team coach and Ravindra Pushpakumara who is the assistant coach of the NCC none of the players of the Champion side are involved with any activity in Sri Lanka, which is indeed a shame. Whilst we do know that Jayasuriya, Muralitharan and Vaas are still active as players, players of the caliber of Atapattu a former captain, Asanka Gurusinghe, Roshan Mahanama, Hashan Tillakaratne and even Pramodya Wickremasinghe though in the Interim Committee have been hardly or under used.
In the case of Marvan Atapattu a former captain and a top batsman, he has been grabbed by Singapore. Listening to him on Neo TV one could easily recognize the immense knowledge and depth he posseses. Surely with such brains do we need foreigners to coach us? Atapattu could make an excellent coach and above all being a former captain of Sri Lanka his emotions will be roused every time the team plays and with it the desire to win!
Whilst Mahanama is a match referee and Dharmasena is an International Umpire why is Hashan Tillakaratne not in the scene? Sadly once again the politics he is involved in seems to sideline him. Otherwise how could he be appointed Manager of the National team and be removed? We all believe that sport is a great bridge to join divided communities. It is sport that has united all races in the country, where stories of LTTE cardres watching Sri Lanka games and even cheering for the country would have never emanated at all if it was not the case.
With a backdrop such as that, why don’t we look at harnessing all these great cricketers of the past and use them to move forward? I am in no way suggesting that all of them could be a Chairman or Secretary or even a Treasurer of the Board. Though some may be capable the others could be used technically. My suggestion is that Sri Lanka Cricket should reach out to them and bring them in to the main fold. And I am sure there is no better person than D.S. de Silva the current Chairman who a very straight man always playing with a straight bat. Joining him and helping him to protect the game and ensure its development would be a great boost to the game in the country. This would mean cricket devoid of politics and other petty differences. This would also mean that Sri Lanka Cricket will present a united face. I will be then prompted to borrow the following phrase which says” United we stand”. How true and real it will be!
Roshan Abeysinghe is a leading cricket promoter and an international cricket commentator |
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