TURMOIL IN SRI LANKA NETBALL

President Yasa Ramachandra says she will never be SLNF President again

The Sri Lanka netball scene has turned into turmoil with three would be managers eyeing the manager’s post and an official for the Ninth Youth Asian Netball Championships to be held in Hong Kong from December 10 to 16, handing in their resignations.

Those who have resigned are two vicepresidents and the treasurer of the Sri Lanka Netball Federation (SLNF). They are: Champa Gunewardena, DeviAponso (both Vice Presidents) and Sudharma Jayawardena (Treasurer).

As a result of Treasurer Sudharma Jayawardena’s resignation the SLNF is faced with the crisis of having none to handle their funds and to sign cheques. The SLNF has now appointed Rupa Gunasekera and Vajira Pushpakumari to replace Champa Gunewardena and Devi Aponso respectively.

The Treasurer’s post is vacant as a special Special General Meeting has to

Seventeen members have to be included in the tour contingent. This is the rule set down by the Asian Netball Federation.The 17 include 12 players, a coach, manager, a federation official, team Doctor and a masseur

be convened to appoint a Treasurer. The SLNF has now called for nominations for this post.

Now expenses for the forthcoming Youth Asian Netball Championships, the President Mrs. Yasa Ramachandra is spending out of her own pocket.

All this cropped up with the appointment of Secretary, Sandamali Wanasinghe as the Manager of the team to Hong Kong. The Team Official’s post for the Hong Kong tour has to be appointed.

This apparently has arisen with the greed to go on tours and not to promote the game, is the opinion of lovers of the sport, parents, coaches and former national players.

Seventeen members have to be included in the tour contingent. This is the rule set down by the Asian Netball Federation. The 17 include 12 players, a coach, manager, a federation official, team Doctor and a masseur.

Due to this setback an unusual situation has cropped in the Sri Lanka Netball Federation. Usually the team captain is appointed by the executive committee now the selection committee has been asked to name the skipper as well. This request has been made by the Ministry of Sports.

There were 15 players in the national pool and it was reduced to 12 last Friday. These 12 players will form the final squad for the tournament.

The posed questions regarding this debacle from the President Mrs. Yasa Ramachandran. “This is a big muddle. If there is anyone to take my place, I am willing to hand over my resignation. I have no intention, whatsoever, of being the head of the SLNF,” stated Mrs. Ramachandra.