Despite glamour, LPL reputation at stake
Dambulla Thunders co-owner Tamim Rahman was remanded until May 31 by the Colombo Magistrate
The integrity of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) has come under heavy scrutiny this week following the arrest of the newly appointed owner of the Dambulla Thunders on allegations of match-fixing.
Tamim Rahman, one of the co-owners of the Dambulla Thunders, took a detour from cricket, straight to the courtroom as the British national of Bangladeshi origin found himself arrested on corruption charges just minutes before he could board his flight home.
Rahman’s dramatic airport arrest, under the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports Act enacted in 2019, ensures he’ll be enjoying state hospitality at the remand prison until May 31.
This scandal is just the latest drama at the LPL, now in its fifth year and perpetually dogged by accusations of involving of illegal forex trading and online betting companies as team owners and sponsors.
The Imperial Sports Group, led by Rahman and Golam Rakib, enthusiastically partnered with the LPL last month, proclaiming their mission to build a team that would “exemplify spirit, skill, and sportsmanship, one that will captivate and inspire cricket fans worldwide”.
LPL Rights Holder Anil Mohan had heralded the arrival of the Dambulla Thunders as a thrilling new chapter for the league.
“We eagerly anticipate the fresh energy and innovative approaches they’ll bring to the tournament,” he said welcoming the new owner. And bring them they did – just not quite in the way everyone had expected.
The fresh energy and innovative approach of the new owner has indeed cast a long, dark shadow over the league, prompting serious questions about the governance and credibility of the tournament. Unsurprisingly, the Rights Holder swiftly terminated Rahman’s
contract (Rahman had been present at Tuesday’s auction, keenly assembling his squad for the upcoming season).
As if one scandal wasn’t enough, Sri Lanka Police also arrested the businessman Viranjith Thambugala, who owned the same franchise last season (Dambulla Aura), on allegations of financial fraud. Thambugala, a self-proclaimed ‘doctor’ who never made it past Grade 5 and dabbled in radio mechanics before his foray into miracle-healing and the gem business, raised eyebrows when he purchased the franchise. Yet, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the tournament organisers chose to look the other way.
Meanwhile, just hours before Tuesday’s auction, the tournament organisers made a complete U-turn on their earlier decision to terminate the contract of B-Love Kandy for breaching contractual obligations. Apparently, the Dubai-based crypto-currency business had a sudden change of heart and agreed to comply with all requirements. So much love for LPL.
Last year’s tournament was a dazzling showcase of illegal gambling and forex trading logos, with companies such as Skyfair News, XBAT, 1XBook, Crickex.in, Kheloyar News, BABU88, Satsport, wolf777, TigerEXCH, BFICOIN and MTFE proudly displayed in player jersey.
Observers and analysts are buzzing with concerns that the league has become a playground for those with a taste for quick, illicit profits. The involvement of such businessmen with connections to betting and forex industries is certainly bad for LPL’s reputation. It’s a shame these activities tarnish the image of cricket in Sri Lanka.
The latest scandal brings with it severe implications for LPL’s credibility. The league, once envisioned as a beacon of local talent and entertainment, now faces what some might call a credibility crisis. Shockingly, except in few instances, it has struggled to attract reputable investors from the start, and has seen ownerships change more frequently than a T20 game.
The recurring involvement of less-than-reputable individuals highlights major issues in governance and oversight. The SLC board’s failure to implement rigorous vetting processes for franchise owners is a major issue. It has allowed a colourful array of characters to participate in the league. If the organisers have done their due diligence, one wonders how owners like Aura and Thunders find themselves in team ownership. This not only puts the league’s reputation at risk but also casts a shadow over the administrative capabilities of the SLC.
Issuing a media release on Friday (24), SLC, said they have consistently prioritised the integrity of the sport.
“SLC’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity of cricket led to the engagement of ICC ACU officials in this process, and it was these ICC ACU officials who informed the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offenses Relating to Sports about suspicious activities involving one of the owners of the Dambulla team. This information resulted in the arrest made by local police authorities,” SLC released explained.
Restoring confidence in the LPL will require strengthening the governance framework and ensuring transparent, accountable practices. Collaborating with international anti-corruption bodies to establish stringent monitoring and preventive measures could help mitigate future scandals.
Of course, the tournament has helped cricketers in a big way, not only financially but to capture the attention of the world. Jaffna’s Vijayakanth Viyaskanth was a great find and he is one of few Sri Lankans to feature in the IPL this year. There’s also the organisers who want the tournament to go ahead. But those who benefit the most are the players’ managers, a delightful group of opportunists eager to fill their pockets at every turn. Their presence has been so deep that the SLC had to stop them from getting involved in the auction and team management, a common sight in previous editions.
The player auction held on Tuesday only added to the league’s intrigue. Retired cricketer Isuru Udana was purchased for an astonishing US$100,000, a bid that surprised attendees and viewers alike. His base price was set at US$30,000.00.This unexpected generosity raised eyebrows and fueled speculations about financial mismanagement and potential corrupt practices within the LPL. The Galle franchise’s eagerness to secure Udana, after missing out on Matheesha Pathirana, was cited as the reason but even then to spend such a colossal sum is unjustifiable.
Equally surprising was how Pathum Nissanka, a dazzling Sri Lankan opener, went unsold before being picked in the second round for the base price. Meanwhile, Kusal Janith Perera, one of the best white-ball cricketers in the country, went unsold. One can argue it’s the franchises who call the shot at these auctions. But does it further our cricket? As Arjuna Ranatunga said, money has destroyed the game.
CV OF THE owners
| Dambulla Thunders | |
| The franchise’s ownership was terminated following the arrest of a co-owner on corruption charges. Organisers are currently finalising arrangements with a new owner.
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| Colombo Strikers | |
| Owner : Sagar Khanna Company: Skky Enterprise LLC Location : Nassau County, In the fourth season, Colombo Stars underwent a change in ownership, with Sagar Khanna, owner of Skky Enterprise LLC in New York, taking over. Previously owned by Softlogic Group in the third season, the local conglomerate opted out due to economic conditions in Sri Lanka. Publicly known for his ventures in hospitality, retail, and real estate in New York, Sagar Khanna co-founded the New York-based cricket tournament and is a co-founder of the Skky Strikers. He also owns the New York Strikers in the Abu Dhabi T10. However, detailed information on his business dealings is limited. |
| Galle Marvels | |
| Owner : Prem Thakkar, Malav Patel, Neil Patel, Himanshu Patel There’s been a change in ownership at Galle, with Cricket Marvels LLC, led by Prem Thakkar, acquiring the franchise. Thakkar, along with Malav Patel, Neil Patel from the Tattva Group, and Himanshu Patel from Aanya Properties LLC in the USA, have taken over. They are primarily involved in the fast-food and retail industry in the USA, with over 250 outlets under their leadership. Thakkar is the managing director of Thakkar Group of Companies, with real estate ventures across India and the UK. Himanshu is the CEO and Founder of Aanya Properties LLC. Malav and Neil Patel are claimed to be directors of Tattva Group, USA, but further verification of their involvement is unavailable. |
| Lyca’s Jaffna Kings | |
| Owner : Allirajah Subaskaran Company: BRI Sports Holding Ltd Location : 2nd Floor, Walbrook Buildings, 195, March Wall, London, UK British businessman Allirajah Subaskaran, despite facing allegations of corruption and tax evasion in the UK, remains the owner of Lyca’s Jaffna Kings. His investments span from producing multi-billion dollar South Indian films to financing sports and media in India and Sri Lanka. Subaskaran, hailing from Northern Sri Lanka, migrated to the UK at a young age. He acquired Jaffna Stallions in 2021 and remains the owner through his company, BRI Sports Holding Ltd. He also holds an equity stake in Ligue 2 side Paris FC and owns Lyca’s Kovai Kings in India’s Tamil Nadu Premier League. Lyca Mobile, a part of his conglomerate, has been a long-time sponsor of West Ham United FC. |
| B-Love Kandy | |
| Owner : Omar Khan Company: Innovation Factory Location : Office 1501-2, The Tower Plaza Hotel, Trade Centre 1, B-Love Kandy retains ownership despite earlier league termination threats due to non-compliance. Dubai-based businessman Omar Khan is the sole owner of the team. Khan is the proprietor of B-Love Network, a cryptocurrency business in Dubai. B-Love Network’s smartphone app B-Love Kandy, led by Wanindu Hasaranga, received advisory support from former Pakistan cricketers Wasim Akram and Javed Miandad last season. B-Love sponsored the T20 cricket |