The cheque that bounced big
In an era where a professional racquet costs Rs. 90,000 and a tin of tennis ball is prized at Rs. 2,500, an image of a cheque received by a pre-quarter-finalist earned at a national event posted on social, media paints a contrastingly different picture of Sri Lanka tennis. Tennis, considered one of the richest sports in the world, depicts an entire opposite reflection after this cheque, valued Rs. 2,000, which apparently is the prize money the pre- quarter- finalists were awarded.
This too was in the Open category of the National Clay Court Tennis Championship held at the SLTA courts in Greenpath last March. After the image went viral, questions have arose on how tennis players are compensated monetarily at national level events.
According to findings, it was revealed that the eventual winner's take- home prize money was Rs.100,000 and a sum of Rs.40,000 was allocated for the runner- up. However, the two losing semi- finalists were rewarded with Rs. 5,000 each. Beyond that those who stalled their forward march in the Open category of the competition were presented with prize monies of Rs.2,000 each.
"I received this today as a quarter-finalist in one of the three best tournaments.... this is where our sport stands.. I had to spend more than Rs. 25,000 coming to Colombo to play matches. I think I could have donated that money to run a better tournament. And as a coach, this don't encourage us to tell our students 'hey kid if you play men's level tennis here you earn this and represent country', no not at all. Where one racket is Rs.90,000 now and a ball can is Rs.2,500, I cannot even buy a ball can to play one hour of tennis with this cash price. I will frame (cheque) and keep this as a souvenir, thanks to all who ruined it... feeling sad," the player concerned had written along with the image of the cheque on social media.
The number of players registered for the National Clay Court Tennis Championship were counted as 880 overall, and each player had been charged with Rs.1,600 each Summing up the entire earnings only from entry fees counts to more than Rs 2million alone by the organisers, Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA).
In addition, two leading private banks tied up with SLTA as sponsors, and different partners have come forward as official food and beverage providers and playing balls were provided by SLTA's official ball partner. Considering all facts, SLTA had a lesser burden on expenses when it comes to conducting the tournament.
Though SLTA did not facilitate the players that came all the way from outstations. Outstation players, who had come mainly for the said competition had to lodge for days during the event, while taking care of their own meals and other needs, yet the SLTA had not made arrangements to support these players.
In this context, most of these outstation players had to bare a heavy cost solely on this event, leave aside their desire of covering up those expenditures with the prize money they would win. Experts fear if this trend continues, tennis will be limited among a selected section of elites in the society, and the efforts made to popularise the sport among outstation and youngsters, may all face a spoiler.
Ignoring the norms of the constitution of the sport and its regulations, the incumbent SLTA President and Secretary are holding their positions in office for the 10th straight year, making SLTA the only sport governing body affiliated to the Ministry of Sports, to do so. After the incident with regard to the appalling prize money, many players and stakeholders of tennis have left dejected, as those who are actually concerned are left voiceless within the SLTA, due to fears of other nature.