Chief SLBF selector denies flawed junior selection process
Manipulation and favouritism have deprived several talented and deserving school children from representing their country at an upcoming international basketball tournament, a leading club and school coach has alleged.
Speaking to the ‘Daily Mirror’ on the condition of anonymity, because he feared players who trained under him may be discriminated against in the future, the coach alleged a mafia had come to dominate the administration of the sport Sri Lanka, and their actions, in ensuring that certain players were selected at the expense of more deserving players, not only deprived them but also put the country’s chances at this competition at a disadvantage.
“The selections for this tournament have been done in an underhand manner, and in a way where the selectors cannot be faulted,” the coach claimed. “The players they have named in the practice squad is rid of some quality players who have performed well for their schools, in order to accommodate certain players that the selectors have been influenced to include in the team.”
“The various schools were informed via SMS, that those who wish to participate in trials should appear in Colombo on April 9. This is not how this information should be relayed, and it should be done through the various associations under the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation. Despite there being a large contingent on April 9, with participation from players from outside Colombo, organisers had decided to only register players on that day and move the trials to April 15, 16 and 17, which severely handicapped players from outside Colombo from attending,” he said.
The selection of players for international competitions comes under the purview of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation. The tournament, scheduled for next month, is the South Asian Basketball Association Under 18 Championship.
The coach also claimed that players who had not been present for the entire duration of the trials were included in the training pool of 24, which will be reduced to 12 ahead of the tournament.
“This is so they can include players who come from influential backgrounds, who have influenced the selection committee to include certain children,” he also alleged.
However, Chairman of Selectors of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation Dr. Chula Senaratne denied these allegations saying that when a squad is selected there were always those who cried foul even if they didn’t deserve places in the team.
“These allegations are false. We have made all selections based on the selection criteria of the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation. We function as an independent body, appointed by the Sports Minister and therefore, are strong enough to resist any undue pressure, if any, put on us,” he said.
“There were a few players who didn’t participate in the entirety of the selection trials, but that was because they were unable to attend the trials due to reasons that were deemed valid by the SLBF,” he said. “We conducted separate drills for these players over the last week.”
It also learnt that the Sports Minister has called an inquiry into this matter, but Daily Mirror could not confirm this.