Archives

The outgoing Interim Committee accepted the responsibility of administrating the BCCSL from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for a 12 month period while facing a substantial budget deficit for 2002.

We were compelled to curtail activities due to a limited in flow of cash resulting from reduced in bound tours of foreign teams during 2002 as per the ICC approved tour calendar.

The only ICC recognised teams that toured Sri Lanka in 2002 were Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, ranked low in marketability for TV and commercial rights. Nevetherless, a substantial amount of key projects, activities, actions and events were completed during our tenure. It is obligatory on our part to keep the general public informed. therefore, a synopsis is provided below for their consumption.

1. Events

BCCSL successfully hosted the ICC Champions Trophy in September 2002. It was a landmark event and in the words of the President ICC, this was yet the most successful tournament conducted by the ICC upto that time.

Sri Lanka received recognition as an ICC neutral match venue when BCCSL conducted the 1st Test in a series between Australia and Pakistan in October 2002 at the P. Sara Stadium, with the Tamil Union C &AC as host.

2. International venues

The P. Sara Stadium (formerly Colombo Oval) is recognised as the venue for Sri Lanka's first ever Test match. BCCSL recognised the venue for Test status after a gap of 8 years. Apart from the neutral Test, the 1st Test in the series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and the 1st Test in the series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand were also played at this venue.

The revenues generated from these matches enabled the Tamil Union C&AC to further improve the infrastructure of this historic venue.

* A company from Dubai, the Zarara Group signed an agrement with BOI to develop a modern cricket stadium and sports complex at Pallekelle. Simultaneously, the BCCSL signed a memorandum of understanding with Zarara allowing this organisation, the right to conduct one Tri-Nation Tournament each year on paying a license fee to the BCCSL.

The structural development of this stadium is still in progress and the first tournament in the series is now scheduled for July 2004.

* The balance civil works at the Rangiri Dambulu Stadium commenced after a lapse of 1 year. This picturesque ground and stadium was restored and the BCCSL able to conduct the entire Tri-national Tournament between Sri Lanka, Pakistan and New Zealand, consisting of 7 matches at this stadium.

* Our relations with the ICC remained cordial. The North and South decks at the R. Premadasa Stadium was uplifted for enhanced telecasting operations to meet with the rigors of international broadcasting specifications of the ICC Champions Trophy event. The entire cost of improvements amounting to Rs. 4.5 million was borne by the ICC as an outright grant.

* Plans for a modern media centre to cater to 150 journalists and a new grandstand for Galle International Cricket Stadium is now ready for execution. "Sony Max" will sponsor the entire cost of constructing the Media Centre. An agreement signed between BCCSL and Sony Max confirms their commitment to this project.

3. Transparency and good governance

Providing transparency along with good governance is an integral responsibility in the structural framework of an institution so much in the public spotlight as the BCCSL. In response to these disciplines, BCCSL continued with the practice of presenting budgets and implementing budgetary controls introduced by the previous Interim Committee.

* Independent board committees such as the Finance Committee were empowered to act as watchdogs over the operations and also implement best accounting practices in consultation with the Auditors.

* The ICC Code of Ethics introduced by the ICC in June 2002 was adopted in principle to govern the conduct to the members of the committee.

* The mid year and annual draft and audited accounts were published in leading Sinhala and English dailies, a first time for any sports body in Sri Lanka.

* It is our intention to publish accounts upto end of May 2003 and also freeze payments other than to essentials until the handing over date of 6th June, 2003.

4. Debtors

Faced with an overwhelming cash deficit, the BCCSL succeeded in collecting overdue debts and also obtaining the support of a host of sponsors to reduce the widening gap of cash deficit. Long standing debts, both in and off the books, were either collected or committed for payment under an agreed schedule. These include a sum of US $ 200,000 from Pilcom from dues of the 1996 World Cup of which US $ 100,000 is paid and a sum of US $ 1.5 million from Set Satellite from dues on a previous TV rights agreement of which US $ 300,000 is paid.

5. Sponsors

Apart from our present team sponsors Dilmah, who are BCCSL's main sponsors, BCCSL signed event and product sponsorships with several local and foreign companies, namely A.J. Sports, Sony max, Coca Cola, SriLankan Airlines, Uni-Lever, Signer Sri Lanka, Uapali Group, GSM Dialog, Untied Motors, Hatton National Bank, Comet Cable, Lanka Tiles and Sampath Bank.

In addition our TV rights marketers received even sponsorships from ACL Cables, Hutchison Telecom and Bank Alfalah.

Of special mention is the SriLankan Airlines sponsorship of a rebate of 25% on air tickets purchased by the BCCSL and the special rebate provided by Untied Motors for leasing out a fleet of vehicles.

Also the sponsorship of US $ 1.5 million by Sony Max to settle some old outstandings on a TV right agreement which enables BCCSL to support the National Cricket Academy and also build a new media centre at Galle International Cricket Stadium.

Most of these companies will be long-term sponsors and BcCSL thank them for their support in the endorsement of cricket.

6. School cricket

Schools remain our cradle and feeder system. Along with the active support and concurrence of the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association, BCCSL revised the format of schools cricket which is a continuing program to move away from strictures imposed by limited time duration.

Age groups were recategorised from under-13, 15 and 17 to under-12, 14 and 16 groups mainly to avoid clashing with the exams of the Department of Education. The over restrictions of teams batting first is extended from 50 - 60 overs for one day games, while a bowler can now deliver upto 15 overs as against the previous 10.

As boys in the under-12 group are in the formative stage, their matches have been restricted to friendly games.

In order to gain further exposure to playing on turf wickets, tournament matches of the under-14 and 16 groups from the quarter-final stage is played on turf over 2 days.

Uni-Lever, a previous long-term sponsor of school cricket returned as sponsors after a lapse of 8 years, with a contribution of Rs. 4 million. Along with counterpart funds of Rs. 4 million from BCCSL, a sum of Rs. 8 million is set aside for school cricket below 16 years group, as an investment into the future.

Uni-Lever will in addition provide nutrient supplements to participating teams. BCCSL is confident that these initiatives will lead to a re-emergence of highly talented young cricketers from our nursery to feed the national team.

7. Material supplement to school and district cricket

Contrary to media speculation, the program for distribution of cricket materials to supplement needy schools and districts continue unabated. The procurement process was revisited in order to purchase direct from original manufacturers overseas, thereby increasing the quantum of materials flowing through to needy institutions. Already the distribution of cricket materials for juniors at district level is now completed.

8. All-island talent search

The talent bank in urban areas which mainly fed the national team in the past appear to be declining. Therefore, the need to identify new rural and semi urban talent is now considered of high priority.

Initiated by our coaching team and sponsored by Singer Sri Lanka, BCCSL went on a pioneering islandwide talent search to scout for promising young players in the under-12 (13), 14 (15), 16 (17) and 17 age groups.

This talent search went beyond the schools and covered every district association. 100 of the most promising players in the under-17 group were selected for further training at district camps. Of these, the most promising 16 were selected for advanced training.

The progression of these young cricketers will be monitored through a BCCSL computer program.

To cover all age groups, similar programs have been initiated for under-14 and 16 groups respectively.

9. Cricket scholarships

It is important that talented young players are exposed to an overseas playing environment during their formative years. With this in view, BCCSL structured overseas scholarship programs to cricketers showing outstanding talent at school level.

* Sir Paul Getty Scholarship Scheme - In collaboration with the BCCSL UK Committee, this scholarship scheme commenced in 2002 and is partly funded by the Sir Paul Getty Fund. Last year's scholarship recipients Sahan Wijeratne and Dhammika Prasad spent 6 months playing cricket through an English Season.

Both cricketers are scholarship winners to the newly opened National Cricket Academy. Sahan in addition, captained the Sri Lanka Under 19 team vs. the English Cricket Academy XI and led the team to victory whilst scoring a century.

This year's beneficiaries are Farveez Mahroof and Sandun Dias. Fraveez is already showing high potential having gained selection for Middlesex 2nd XI. Sandun represents the Bessborough Cricket Club.

BCCSL U.K. Committee hopes to expand the program. The Late Sri Paul Getty was a benefactor of Sri Lankan cricket who recently donated Pounds 10,000 for cricket development and the BCCSL has transferred this money to a Scholarship Fund for awarding scholarships to talented schoolboys.

* Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation of Queensland continues to offer scholarships to cricketers at U. 19 level in collaboration with BCCSL and the beneficiaries in 2002 were Nirmal Wickremaratne and Haresh Ratnayake. Among the previous notable beneficiaries are Sajith Fernando and Naveed Navaz.

BCCSL values the support of their associations and foundations abroad in their endeavour to develop talented young cricketers and see a link between the national talent search, the offering of scholarships and the entry into the national academy as a comprehensive program to unearth new talent.

10. Sri Lanka national cricket academy

The Cricket academy opened its doors in May 2002 by offering scholarships to 19 promising cricketers in the age group 19 to 22 years. They will be offered comprehensive training in both skills development and life skills for a period of 7 months. The Academy is sponsored by Sony Max and is the fulfilment of a long felt need in our cricket hierarchy.

Preliminary arrangements are in place for the Academy team to tour Queensland in September 2003.

11. Cricket in the North and East

The progress of cricket in the North and East suffered due to hostilities. BCCSL took cricket back to the Jaffna District with a 5-day coaching and training camp for coaches and schoolboys from Under 13 to Under 19 age groups. Foundations were laid for concrete wickets and cricket gear distributed to clubs affiliated to the Jaffna District Cricket Association.

Schoolboys in the North, North Central and Eastern provinces had first time experience of turf wickets when several matches in the recently concluded District tournaments were played at Dambulla Stadium.

Potential for talent in these 3 distant Provinces remain relatively untapped and will emerge with support and encouragement.

12. Infrastructure for clubs and districts

BCCSL provided infrastructure support in the guise of indoor wickets and gymnasium equipment respectively.

Gymnasium equipment was provided for the following Clubs - Moors, SSC, Ragama CC, Tamil Union, Chilaw Marians CC and Panadura CS.

Indoor nets at CCC, Kurunegala District Association and Ratnapura District Association are nearing completion. The latter project was delayed due to cash flow constraints.

13. Club players fees

BCCSL identified a need to professionalize the game at club level. With this in view, match fees for Premier Division players were increased form Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000 per diem and fees were accordingly increased at other levels. Umpires fees too were revised upwards.

In addition, 2% of all ICC World Cup 2003 revenues will accrue to Premier Division players. Thereby approximately. 240 players will receive payments of around Rs. 50,000 each.

14. National pool players contracts

National Pool players contracts were restructured on a retainer cum incentive basis as against a prevailing fixed rate contract.

Accordingly, all contracted players will receive approximately. 2/3rds of their remuneration by way of a retainer, while 1/3rd will be by way of enhanced match fees and win incentives.

The amended scheme is related to the actual matches played and the performance achieved thereon and is more equitable than the previous scheme.

15. Umpires benefit scheme

An Umpires Benefit Scheme was initiated to appropriate grants to retired Umpires on the basis of a maximum of Rs. 250,000 each, on past services rendered to Sri Lanka cricket from the pre-test era onwards. A sum of Rs. 2 million approx. was disbursed in 2002 and a sum of Rs. 1.5 million is budgeted for 2003. These grants are in addition to the prevailing medical aid scheme.

16. Training of coaches

In partnership with the Cricket Academy of Queensland, Level 2 coaching programs were conducted for 53 Coaches in 2002 and 42 Coaches in 2003. With the rapid expansion of the game, more Coaches are needed in the future.

BCCSL is now in a position to conduct Level 2 coaching programs in-house. This will lead to an increase in the number of qualified Coaches available.

17. Sri Lanka A team

Contrary to belief, the Sri Lanka A team underwent one of its heaviest schedules last season. Commencing with a tour by the Kenya national team, our A team also played against the India A team and the English Academy at home and the Pakistan A team on tour aborad, gaining considerable experience against top flight opponents.

Several "A" players were in addition provided with the opportunity of representing Sri Lanka national team under a selection policy aimed at blooding young and talented players. 4 members of the A team were offered 6 month players contracts of US $ 10,000 each in order to fast track their progress.

18. Sri Lanka national team

Our National Team underwent a very heavy program of cricket during the season past and was away from the island for long periods. The ICC cricket program is very strenuous and compels players to be away from their families for long durations. At the request of the team, BCCSL agreed to meet the cost of their wives stay for a period of two weeks provided tours are over 2 months duration including two or more back to back tours.

A leading firm of management consultants began a series of leadership skills programs for Senior players which will be continued.

Our team had a reasonably successful season and emerged joint winners of the ICC Champions Trophy, whilst entering Semi-Finals of the World Cup, losing to the ultimate winners - Australia. Our team is ranked 4th in both the One Day and Test table of the ICC.

19. Cricket anthem

A Sri Lanka Cricket Anthem was composed by courtesy of our sponsors Coca Cola, Hatton National Bank, Lanka Tiles and SriLankan Airlines. Cricket still remains a passion with Sri Lankans and the anthem is intended to unify the nation behind the National Team. The composition of the anthem, inclusive of the audio and video versions by Bathiya and Santhush was entirely funded by our sponsors.

20. Souvenir shop

BCCSL set up a Souvenir Shop at 35, Maitalnd Place on a profit sharing basis with a leading clothing store "Genesis and Basics". This shop has become a much sought after place, particularly among collectors of memorabilia. A sum of Rs. 1 million has accrued to BCCSL during the short period since opening day.

21. Board committees

We empowered the various Committees to act with a great degree of independence and also to advise the Interim committee on all important matters. We wish to recognize the role played by the following Committees - Finance, Marketing and Sponsorship, National Development, Cricket, Coaching, Tournament, Umpires, Disciplinary, Tour Organizing, CBFS and Benefit, Infrastructure Advisory, House/ Board and National Academy, in implementing the above programs in concurrence with the Interim Committee and Management.

We wind up by wishing the incoming elected Committee every success and are hopeful that they will continue with the programs initiated during 2002 / 03.

Hemaka Amarasuriya, Chairman - Interim Committee, Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka

www.crescat.com

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2003 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager