Selections and controversies

Selection of sports teams has often been criticised over the years. It is not only a problem confined to Sri Lanka, but experienced in many developing countries, especially in the subcontinent. Whether it is cricket, soccer, hockey, volleyball or any other sport, there has been regular criticism.

Such allegations on favouritism is rare in most developed countries due to comparatively less political and social interference. Moreover, selectors in those countries play clean and do an exemplary job. That does not mean there aren't selectors of such high calibre here, who are rare.

The latest selection controversy comes from Greenpath, the Mecca of local tennis. It all began after Aravind Fernando, ranked 18th amongst local juniors, was included in the Sri Lanka team for this month's ITF Under-14 Championships in Australia, by the national tennis selection committee, headed by his father Arjun Fernando, former Sri Lanka Davis Cup captain and veteran player.

Fernando Jnr was preferred ahead of Shehan Gomes, who is currently in No.3 position in Sri Lanka junior rankings. While Dinesh Kanthan and Indika Wettasinghe, the No.1 and 2 amongst local juniors, made it a direct entry to the three-member Sri Lanka Boys Under-14 team, a trial was conducted to fill the remaining slot. Both Fernando Jnr and Gomes lost to the ultimate winner of the trials Eshan Jayamanne, who made it to the team.

But the controversy began when Fernando Jnr was added to the team, following the withdrawal of Kanthan due to studies. However, the chairman of selectors Fernando Snr denied all allegations and said all selections were made in keeping with the criteria stipulated before the trials.

Arjun Fernando is one of the most successful Davis Cup players that Sri Lanka has ever produced and no one would ever challenge his credentials to be the chairman of selectors. But the big blunder he has done was chairing a panel, which had picked his own son to the Sri Lanka junior team, a direct conflict of interest and an unethical move.

On the other hand, Fernando Jnr is a player with potential and has talent to follow the footsteps of his great father, who has led Sri Lanka to many Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone wins. What Arjun Fernando should have done was to keep out of the selection process simply because of his son is in the running. In fairness to young Aravind Fernando, he too should not be victimised or dragged into such a debate just because his father is the chairman of selectors.

On the other hand, the selection criteria followed by the national selectors is of their own and not the national selection criteria / policy, stipulated by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA). While admitting that fact, Fernando Snr says that their own selection criteria has been adopted for the last two to three years. Irrespective of the duration they followed it, the fact is that the national selectors have not followed the selection criteria stipulated by the national controlling body.

Then again, it is not fair enough to judge a player by just one trial tournament and ignore his local ranking. You can have one bad day and if that comes on the day of the trials, you could be out of the team, however good you may be. Local ranking, current form and performance at trials should equally be considered when selectors sit down to pick a team.

The other allegation levelled against the chairman of selectors was that he called 19 boys for the trials, just to fill one vacancy. There is a reasonable doubt on this move as Fernando Jnr is ranked 18th. But his selection chief father says the intention of the selectors was to give opportunities to many players to prove their worth.

The SLTA Ex-co was of the opinion that the selectors should go for a fresh trial to fill the vacancy of Kanthan as the selection committee had not followed proper procedure. After three lengthy sittings of the national tennis selection committee, they decided to go for fresh trials from last weekend.

But the alleged unethical selection has now cost the chairman of selectors his top seat. Arjun Fernando has now been replaced by Lasantha Fernando, another former Sri Lanka Davis Cup player and ex-national champion. It is pity that Fernando Snr had to quit the selection panel in such a way. But he has tremendous experience behind him and could offer greater service to Sri Lanka tennis, if he can forget all the high drama and make a come back to play an active role on the technical aspects of the game.

Following our exclusive disclosure of the selection blunder, many parents of junior tennis players came out openly to disclose previous selection irregularities. However, Fernando Snr says no one has made any complaints against unfair selections up to now.

Whoever is to be blamed for the unfortunate incidents involving selections, it is a bad experience not only to both Aravind Fernando and Shehan Gomes but also to rest of the junior poolists and players.

Elders should set an example to children and not let them suffer and develop a selection phobia.