Sri Lanka incurs huge loss of US$ 22mn after losing U-19 WC hosting rights

Sri Lanka will lose an estimated US$ 22mn--approximately Rs.7bn--in direct and indirect income following International Cricket Council’s (ICC) decision to shift the U-19 World Cup from Sri Lanka to South Africa.

The 16-team tournament was originally scheduled from January 13 to February 4 across five venues in Colombo. But the escalation of hostilities between then Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) forced an ICC suspension on SLC.

SLC remained suspended due to what the global body termed ‘extensive government interference in the board’s administration’. And although the ICC allowed Sri Lanka’s participation at global tournaments and bilateral cricket, it decided to move the tournament out of Sri Lanka.

SLC was to receive a sum of US$ 2.4mn as host rights fees (approximately Rs.786mn) and further US$ 15.6mn (approximately Rs.5.14bn) to conduct the tournament. According to Samantha Dodanwela, who was heading the entire operation as Tournament Director, the loss to the tourism sector is massive.

“We have booked 520 rooms for 30 days and that is 15,600 room nights for those participating teams and officials. On top of that, there were about 10 teams who wanted to come a week early to acclimatise to the conditions here and this is additional income to the country. It’s unfortunate that we lost this opportunity,” said Dodanwela.

SLC was expecting a high number of parents of these cricketers to arrive in the country as this is a youth event. Dodanwela, a former SSC cricketer, said that he worked since April this year for the tournament.

“We have done around 90 percent of the work, including the preparation of the venues up to the ICC specified standards, planning opening and closing ceremonies, getting a marketing plan, planning promotional activities and also making presentations to vendors. It’s unfortunate we lost it,” he said.

In addition to the financial hit, Sri Lanka was also deprived of a great opportunity to promote the country globally. The country would have been featured in news stories, broadcasts, and social media posts around the world.

The U-19 World Cup was a much-anticipated event for Sri Lanka’s young cricketers, providing them with a platform to showcase their talents and aspire for international recognition in their home conditions. With the shifting, they lose the home advantage.

However, with the change of the Minister, the new Sports Ministry together with SLC is now lobbying to get the ban lifted and will request the ICC to reconsider its decision to shift the tournament.

But sources said that, even if the suspension is lifted-provided the ICC is assured that SLC’s autonomy is protected--there’s ‘very little chance’ of the international body changing its decision to shift the tournament out of Sri Lanka.