Why debase our team to the CWG?
Sir,
The newspapers are informing us that the sports contingents to CWG will only comprise of medal prospects and those teams who could fund themselves or have the benefit of sponsors. This latter condition we feel is wrong in principle as teams will then go for the wrong reasons and not on merit. At a time that Sri Lanka is reeling with a very adverse economic situation, what justification is there for such a contingent of eight players and three officials? We are aware that money is not an issue for SLB ( Sri Lanka Badminton) headed by you.
Let us take a closer look at the team composition, taking into account the medal prospects!
It is clear that only the Men's Doubles (MD) and Mixed Doubles (XD) have a remote chance based on their international records!
The Men's Singles (MS), Women's Singles ( WS) and Women's Doubles (WD) have no chance; so what is the purpose of this representation?
If it is for experience, one may consider young Dimindu Abeywickrama for the MS and Suhashni Vidanage for WS. Niluka Karunaratne has announced his retirement, so what is the supreme purpose of his inclusion?
We also learn that in the WD, Nadeesha Gayanthi is dropped but her junior partner included purely satisfying a NOC ( National Olympic Committee) restriction of four men and three women. How you can drop one member of a doubles combination beats us? So, is the other player Buthmi Galagamage favoured for reasons known to you? SLB selected this team from a set of trials, we learn. If so, why was Ranithma Liyange not considered? She was champion in two recent national tournaments and also won two trials. The WD pair also came through in recent tournaments and trials. All of them make a very strong case for the tour.
We also hear that two officials and the coach are accompanying this SLB team. What is the purpose of the two officials? Surely, one can step down and make room for the WD pair, so that NOC has no issue then with the contingent. Only, the airfares will need the cooperation of relevant parties.
We know very well Sir, that passages to international events are made to satisfy voting requirements in sports organisations, including the NOC. Otherwise, why would they pussyfoot when it is clear that there is a funding issue; only three players need go from SLB for the two best prospective events? If all eight must go, then one official can step down and make way for the athlete. Common sense, Sir!
We appeal to you to consult the Ministry of Sports - Director General and the Nat i o n a l Selection Committee (NSC), who we are confident, will appreciate your judgment and integrity. At least one athlete has questioned the omission and pleads with Ministry of Sports (MoS)/NSC to verify this selection and ensure that justice prevails.
Our country is going through a very difficult time. It is a time when the truth must triumph. All involved in team selections; in this case, SLB, NOC, MoS and NSC must not make a false serve. Can we count on you Sir?
Badminton well-wisers, parents, players, coaches