Sidath’s quest to put cricket back on track

by Rex Clementine

There was renewed enthusiasm and fresh hopes yesterday as new cricket boss Sidath Wettimuny spoke of his ambitious plans to take the game back on right track after five years of one-man-show and deep politicisation.

Addressing his first media briefing since assuming duties as Chairman of the Interim Committee earlier this month, Wettimuny said that a provincial cricket tournament that ran with a high degree of success several years ago will be reintroduced. But more importantly a fully fledged Center of Cricket Excellence will be built at R. Premadasa Stadium alongside indoor cricket nets and a swimming pool. Wettimuny stressed that this will be done immediately. Finance permitting, the concept will be taken to other cricket centers like Pallekele, Galle, Dambulla and Suriyawewa.

The payment made for first class cricketers during the Premier tournament will significantly rise from Rs. 2,500 per day to Rs. 7,500 and all the squad members rather than those in the playing 11 will be eligible for the payment. There’s a massive gap currently between payment for first-class players and national cricketers and most Sri Lankan first class cricketers travel overseas to play during the Australian or English summers.

The most eye-catching concept is the Center of Cricket Excellence. Former SLC Chairman Hemaka Amarasuriya established a Cricket Academy at R. Premadasa Stadium in 2002 and SLC should have built on from there, but once Amarasuriya departed the excellent programme fell along the wayside and now Wettimuny has taken efforts to help develop young cricketers.

Accordingly, Sri Lanka’s national, ‘A’ team, women and under-19 cricketers will receive training in 12 disciplines such as – General English, Presentation Skills Development, Cricket history and Spirit of the Game, Psychology, Social Etiquettes, Personal Grooming, Financial Management, IT Skills, Leadership Training and Yoga.

Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene, who is helping SLC to restructure domestic cricket was present during media briefing and Wettimuny thanked him for his ‘immense contribution’.

"There are other countries like Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Ireland who are doing well. We need to be ready and better prepared to stay on top," Jayawardene said after explaining some of the structural changes that are required to help move Sri Lankan cricket forward.

The likes of Sidath and Mahela may mean well, but there are already forces working against them. Earlier this month the International Cricket Council held back US$ 12 million due for SLC after a former board Secretary and a former President complained about the appointment of an Interim Committee. Incidentally, both those men had been part of Interim Committees before.

These parties are also putting pressure on Minister of Sports to hold the cricket elections soon and the initiatives that Wettimuny has taken could be abandoned before long. "I have no guarantee that these projects will be persevered with, but I hope people will continue this," Wettimuny said concluding the media briefing.