Sri Lanka Cricket ( SLC ) came under a severe slanderous malicious attack by this particular former Sports Minister (FSM ) during a recent popular interview programme in a leading TV station.
He sadly displayed his ignorance about the factual situation with regard to how SLC handles their functions as the local governing body of Cricket in Sri Lanka which is a democratically elected institution by it’s stakeholders at their Annual General Meeting, which is a requirement to maintain SLC’s Membership with the global Governing Body of Cricket which is the ICC or International Cricket Council.
According to the ICC’s Constitution, they are not in favour of their members being governed by Interim Committees appointed by Sports Ministers and subjected to political interference. It is only under exceptional circumstances that they will allow, that too only for a temporary period and indefinite continuation will result in SLC’s membership at ICC being suspended and our Cricketers being starved of international Cricket at all levels / Teams – National, Emerging / A Team, Women’s, All Age Group Teams etc.
The National Team gets International Bilateral Series Inbound and Outbound with the other cricket playing nations only based on the ICC’s FTP – Future Tours Programme. SLC also will not be considered for participation in the ICC’s World Cup Tournaments in all formats 50 over, T20, Test Championship etc for both Men’s and Women’s National Teams.
DO WE WANT THIS TO HAPPEN !!!
From a MARKETING PERSPECTIVE ….. CRICKET is the only Sport that has the power to generate Passion among a majority of Sri Lankans – Young and Old, Rich and Poor – it is CRICKET. This intense Nationwide Interest in the game, especially when it is played at national level, has given rise to the emergence of a “Super brand “. IT CUTS THROUGH ALL BOUNDARIES SUCH AS RACE, CAST, CREED, RELIGION, AGE, SEX etc etc. and able to UNITE THE ENTIRE NATION
So this shameful behavior and sudden outburst of this Former Sports Minister is absolutely uncalled for, specially at a time when our National Team is performing in an outstanding manner, very efficiently managed by the present hierarchy of SLC and supported by the Coaching and other Support Staff in a professional manner.
While this Sports Minister was holding office, he was instigated against the SLC hierarchy by another past Cricketer having ulterior motives or dreams of becoming the Chairman of an Interim Committee at SLC which he once held some years back and lasted only for around one year as he was removed by the Sports Minister at that time. Since then, he has attempted to contest at SLC’s AGMs joining hands with various factions but failed miserably. So he knows that he cannot come in to the helm of the SLC by contesting an election at an AGM, leave alone SLC, he has failed to get elected even to positions in his own prestigious leading club in Sri Lanka. He knew that it was the only path available to sit at the top Chair which he ultimately succeeded by using this disgraceful former Sports Minister but sadly lasted only for one day as the IC appointed was discontinued through legal action.
This FSM’s favorite subject in Parliament for a few months was to talk about the 2023 Audit Report relating to SLC’s activities mainly supported by two other vociferous MPs. The Speaker once stated that they have wasted over 500 hours of valuable time of the Parliament which should have been utilized to discuss more important and pressing issues.
This FSM is accusing the SLC hierarchy of complaining to the ICC about the political interference which resulted in the ICC temporarily suspending the membership and the ICC Chairman visiting Sri Lanka and having discussions with then President of Sri Lanka and urging him to intervene in the matter immediately to free SLC of political interference to resolve that matter. He acted swiftly and prudently to defuse the situation by removing this stupid FSM and replacing him with another Minister. Sri Lanka’s Cricketing Fraternity should be thankful to this President of Sri Lanka for restoring sanity.
However, sadly Sri Lanka lost the great opportunity of hosting the ICC Under 19 World Cup as it was moved to another Member Country depriving Sri Lanka much needed foreign exchange and growth in tourism.
SLC bringing to the notice of the ICC about the political interference that prevailed is absolutely quite in order and believe that it is the proper channel of communication which should be followed, as SLC is a full member affiliated to the ICC. While all Sports governing bodies everywhere in the world come under their respective Sports Law in each country, these local governing bodies are governed by the Global Governing Bodies of each Sport. They will not change their Constitutions / Rules to suit the requirement of their Sports Ministers, in the case of Sri Lanka this particular idiotic FSM who talks nonsense all the time.
This person just likes to Blow His Own Trumpet while ridiculing everyone else is a mere Joker !!!
Another issue this FSM accuses is about SLC spending their funds earned and available as they wish …. Well Why Not ? If it is SLC’s earned Funds, not given by the government which he should know. Any Institution do their spending according to that particular organization’s financial standing and affordability. For Example whether the Management / Staff flies Economy Class or Business Class is the prerogative of the Decision Makers and should not be a concern to the Sports Minister, so long as the Stakeholders are aware and they too are kept happy.
The standards maintained in a organization is according to the Corporate Culture of that particular institution. Financially strong companies such as Dialog, MAS etc will maintain a different standard as compared to a company with a lower financial standing. …. SLC is considered as a high profile company with a strong financial standing due to effective Marketing related revenue generation and their main Asset the Cricketers whose presence in the system acts as a Catalyst to facilitate enhanced revenue generation.
The contribution towards SLC’s Revenue Generation is from the Match Ticket Sales is a very small segment of the total revenue. By purchasing a Match Ticket the particular Fan gets his money’s worth by way of entertainment etc. Basically, it’s like buying a Film Ticket paying your money and you get your return by way of entertainment value. It does not mean that he is a shareholder of the Producer of the Film or a Partner !!!
SLC’S main revenue earners are from the Selling of Rights, highest being International and Local (within SL) Broadcasting Rights, Sponsorships of the following : All the National Teams Sponsors, Official Playing Clothing Providers, Official Formal Clothing Providers, Health Care Partner, Advertising / Branding Rights at the Match Venues including Scoreboard /Giant Display Screen, All Domestic Cricket Tournaments Title Sponsorships etc.
Believe that this FSM has perhaps unconsciously or due to ignorance crossed his line by his slanderous malicious utterances during this said TV interview bringing disrepute to this prestigious much loved organization of majority of public SRI LANKA CRICKET and it’s HIERACHY.
WWW.GOFORGOLD.LK have no doubt that SLC will take appropriate remedial action and if so he will have to face the consequences which he truly deserves !!!
He is urging the present NPP Government headed by the President of Sri Lanka His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya to take action against the present SLC Hierarchy at a time when the activities of the SLC is moving very smoothly in a most professional manner and the National Team is performing outstandingly winning matches.
H.E. the President and H.E. the Prime Minister are persons of highest caliber having a great Vision for Sri Lanka’s future and so surely will not be misguided by this type of CLOWNS !!!
Cricket Lover
WWW.GOFORGOLD.LK
26th October 2024