Reducing the number of clubs is not the solution – Sports Minister
Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara yesterday said he would organise a Cricket Workshop shortly to get ideas, suggestions and recommendations from all stakeholders who are concerned on the current pathetic situation of Sri Lanka Cricket.
Addressing the weekly Cabinet News Briefing, Minister Jayasekara said cricket cannot be revived from the pit it has fallen into by bringing down the number of cricket clubs with voting rights at the Board Elections or dissolving the Cricket Board and appointing an Interim Committee as suggested by some.
“Our cricketers must be encouraged and motivated and I don’t think anyone can name a better outfit than this team. But our cricketers are a bit disappointed and discouraged over the negative comments and suggestions that have been made in the recent time by the media and individuals,” he added.
Minister while vowing that he has no intention whatsoever to intervene in affairs of the Cricket Board said he would invite past and present cricketers and captains of, cricket administrators past and present, cricket journalists, all interim members and chairmen, past and present coaches, managers, doctors, physiotherapists and all those who are keen to help Sri Lanka cricket for the workshop.
Responding to a question, Minister Jayasekara said he could not dissolve the Cricket Board because it is illegal and one might say I have politicized cricket in Sri Lanka.
Secondly, the International Cricket Council (ICC) will not entertain representatives from Interim Committees of Sri Lanka for its annual or regional conferences because Interim Committees are appointed by the political authority.
“When representatives of Sri Lanka’s Interim Committees went to participate in ICC Meetings, they were not allowed to take part in the main conference hall or to talk. They participated as observers. Sri Lanka was able to take part in ICC Meetings as other Test playing nations only after the Cricket Board officials were elected through an election,” he stressed.
‘I never wanted to politicize cricket and as long as I remain as the Sports Minister I would not let anyone to do that. What I want is to bring back Sri Lanka Cricket to its former glory and I hope I would be able to do that with the help and blessing of all those who think in the same way. I invite all those who love Sri Lanka cricket to this workshop and furnish their ideas and proposals to take this national and popular sport to the highest level,’ Minister Jayasekara
said.