Three cornered tussle for Netball President’s post?

Three candidates are unofficially vying for honours to be president of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF) 2017. The Annual General Meeting and elections will take place on April 29. This has been decided by the Sri Lanka Netball Federation. Nominations close on April 10.

Applications for the post of office-bearers open on March 18. The current president Yasa Ramachandra has decided not to contest this year. The others who will vie for the president’s post are: Trixi Nanayakkara, Lakshmi Victoria and a former national player, whose name has not been disclosed.

When the Daily Mirror inquired from Trixi Nanayakkara and Lakshmi Victoria about the elections, both stated that they have received invitations from district associations to contest the elections due to the state the game has fallen into at present.

Trixi Nanayakkara is a former national player, national skipper, national coach and a national referee. She has been holding the president’s post at various stages at interim committees and the Sri Lanka Netball Federation. She is the current president of the State Services Netball Association.

Lakshmi Victoria is a former president (20132014). From 2013 to 2013, she was the Asian Netball President. Presently she is the senior vice-president of the Kurunegala District Netball Association and vice president of the Nationalised Services Netball Association.

The unidentified candidate has represented Sri Lanka and has also captained the national team. She has held various positions at the Sri Lanka Netball Federation. She says that if a good group comes forward, she will contest and discussions are being conducted in this regard.

Three members of the present Sri Lanka Netball Federation - Champa Gunewardena, deputy president Yasmin Dharmaratne and liaison officer Olivia Gamage have confirmed that they will contest the elections this year.

The Sports Ministry states that according to the Sports Law all contesting for posts, except the treasurer, should have played netball for the country.