Sports Letters

No politicians please

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been the hot topic in sports circles over the years. When the date for SLC elections were announced, many indicated their willingness to come forward.

But now that the SLC elections have been cancelled, its high time we appoint right men to man our country's richest sports governing body. Following a meeting with a group of former Sri Lanka cricketers, President Mahinda Rajapakse has requested our ex-national players to come forward and serve the game.

But at the same time, we must make sure the politicians are kept out of cricket because there are enough and more experienced former national cricketers who could make a great contribution to the game in administrative capacity.

Hence, the Sports Minister should not allow politicians to come into the new SLC interim committee that is expected to be named shortly.

Even if past cricketers are now engaged in politics, they too should not be given a place in the interim committee.

Let the politicians master the trade they know, please allow people with cricket backgrounds to run the game. No politicians to cricket administration please!

N.L. Perera,
Kandy

S. Africa-SL Test series

After quite a while, Sri Lanka goes into a test series against a formidable opposition as pre-match favourites. However, what it really matters is how we perform on the field, as pre-series predictions can often go wrong in this unpredictable game of cricket. It was not so long ago that England were predicted to whitewash Sri Lanka in the test series and dominate the one dayers.

While the twenty player squad announced recently for the series carries no surprises, it is a pity that Kaushal Lokuarachchi has failed to find a place. In limited opportunities given, Lokuarachchi has done reasonably well in both forms of games. He is a good steady bowler and a reliable late order batsman who can also be sent up the order to do pinch hitting if required.

The selectors did display faith on him by sending him as a replacement when Murali had to leave England following surgery to his son. In case of an injury to an established player, in particular in the allrounder category, Lokuarachchi could always be called upon and with slow wickets in West Indies favouring spin, should be a strong contender for a berth in our World Cup squad. It should be noted that it was Lokuarachchi's game winning six off Shaun Pollock that sparked off subsequent 5-0 whitewash of SA in the one day series last time.

This article is written while the South Africans are playing the Sri Lanka 'A' side and it is difficult to understand why Avishka Gunawardena is captaining the side. In my opinion he should not have been even included in the side. Avishka has had many opportunities to clinch a permanent place in the national team but his cement footed approach to batting has often caused his downfall.

Thilan Samaraweera who had captained many Sri Lankan 'A' sides with great distinction should have been given that opportunity. At the very outset, Avishka made a serious tactical error by putting SA in to bat thus giving them the opportunity for much needed batting practice on a placid wicket. Not only that, this also gave SA the opportunity of batting for the second time, having decided not to enforce the follow-on.

Regarding the position of Sanath in the test team, on present form he should open the batting. However, on the long run, it is good if another test opener to partner Tharanga is permitted to develop. As far as Sanath is concerned, what is important at this stage is that he is included in the test side and not where he bats. Like in last test against England he could be a handy bowling partner for Murali.

In fact if one recalls the history, in a match we played without Murali, it was Sanath who turned the game in our favour by taking 5 wickets in first innings and thus paving way for our test series win during last tour of Sri Lanka by SA.

My best wishes to Sri Lankan team for another outstanding performance in the test series and tri-nation one day tournament to follow.

Dr. Priyantha Gunaratna,
Nawala

Well analysed

It's with utmost interest, I read the well analysed, factual details of our athletics (sports), pros and cons of the situation here, in the article, put forward, to promote the needed development projects, plans ahead, for the best interest and future benefits, prosperity of our country's athletics; that appeared neatly in the Daily News date July 13, 2006, - (the 'Sports Watch' column) - under the headline, 'Athletic dream at South Asian Games', with the constructive criticism and the necessary worthwhile suggestions raised therein, are greatly appreciated and most welcoming; at the same time, they are food-for-thought that deserve due consideration, for prompt attention, by the proper authorities concerned.

We need real action and not words alone, for us to boast of, at this crucial juncture of our athletics deterioration and downfall! Let us hope for the best!

S. T. Arasu,
Dehiwela

Sri Lanka's preparation on the wrong foot

It's the same old same once again. With a bunch of new selectors one would imagine that they would select a well balanced side. No way, it's the same old same thing the proven loser's has been given chance after chance.

Case in point take Russel Arnold he has been, a has been, and was a liability as a fielder and disaster as a bat. He was may be once upon a time was a good bat, but that was many moons ago. What the side needs is what can you do today. Yesterday is dead and gone and it's just history.

Any cricketer should have the can do attitude when he walks into the field to do battle. That is one of the key elements to be successful.

What is the fate of Kaushal Lokuaarachchi? He is the ideal ODI player one should pick. A genuine all rounder who can bat, bowl and field.

He is an asset to any side. He is not even on the list why? He went late on the English tour and played in one game that was not of any consequence but nevertheless he scored 20 odd runs and was not out too, and grabbed three wickets for a few runs.

He has proved each time he was given a chance. Out of the spinners he is the best bat. On a ODI game taking wickets is not the main issue. The main issue is keeping the runs down to a minimum and be able to weild the willow when it comes to bat.

Nuwan Zoysa although an adequate bowler is very injury prone. He has never been able to play a series without being side lined. Nuwan Kulasekere would have been a better choice than Ruchira Perera with his batting skills.

It takes a man to do it and you went against all and sent Sanath out to the UK, make the same bold choice now. It's not too late either for that.

Sam Weeratunga,
USA

SA Games swimming selections

My son E.M.K. Fernando and two other swimmers were included into the above swimming squad, subsequent to a ministerial inquiry held on 14th June 2006, on a directive issued by the Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Jeevan Kumaratunga, exercising his powers vested in the Sports Law of 1973.

This was further confirmed by the Ministry Secretary in a statement / clarification, made to print media on July 1, 2006. My son is attending swimming squad practices, since 4th July, 2006, after receiving verbal intimation from the SLASU Interim Committee.

However, he and the other two swimmers are not afforded the privileges, enjoyed by the other Squad Swimmers. A request for a letter from SLASU, regarding his inclusion to the above squad, is still not given. We have obtained temporary permission from school authorities to attend school late, promising to submit an official letter from SLASU, but we are yet to receive the same.

When swimmers were selected for the Commonwealth games held in Australia, the SLASU went all out to the Ministry to double the number of slots originally allocated to the Sri Lanka swimming team.

The reason they gave for increasing the original allocation was to accommodate more swimmers and give them international exposure. This they did, not to develop swimming, but to ensure that more of their members are included in the swimming contingent for a free ride. However, for the SA Games 2006, SLASU have failed to utilize the original 28 slots allocated to the Sri Lanka Swimming Squad. This shows the SLASU Interim Committee's duplicity.

It is high time that the unfit officials and selectors resign and allow competent, fair-minded independent individuals with no conflict of interests to run the affairs of the governing body for swimming.

E.P.A. Fernando,
Moratuwa