School cricket development to start soon

It’s heartening to note the new school cricket development programme to be launched from next week.

The stage one of the project, to be implemented by the Sports Ministry, will be called ‘play’ from the Southern Province under the direction of Presidential Advisor on cricket D. S. de Silva.

D. Somachandra de Silva, better known as ‘DS’ in the cricketing circles, will spearhead the new talent search campaign that would strengthen the standard of local cricket.

As a veteran leg spinner who has represented Sri Lanka in Test cricket, De Silva knows the exact doze of medicine that is needed to uplift the standard of local school cricket.

It is also good to have a man with a proven track record and the cricketer turned coach would certainly add more weight to the campaign. On the other hand, it’s always advantageous for new Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Interim Chairman Arjuna Ranatunga to have someone who has played alongside him.

Initially, the programme officers would study the problems faced by cricket-playing schools in different areas and would also suggest a mechanism to develop infrastructure facilities in those schools.

Over the years, we have called for the need to revive our school cricket. Last week too, we commended Ranatunga’s call to concentrate more on school cricket, which has always been the breeding ground for future national players.

Having plenty of first hand experience on numerous problems faced by outstation schoolboy cricketers, Ranatunga’s able leadership should guide local school cricket to regain its lost pride.

Ban welcome

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will implement a local ban for the Lankan cricketers who played in the controversial Indian Cricket League (ICL) rebel series. Reports said that the SLC has already written to clubs and associations not to play any of the rebel cricketers in their sides.

In addition, the SLC has also banned the rebel cricketers from coaching, commentating, and cricket administration. Though the decision had been taken during the previous SLC administration of Jayantha Dharmadasa, the SLC has now informed their member clubs and associations in writing.

Marvan Atapattu, Upul Chandana and Russel Arnold were the three Lankan cricketers who took part in the Indian rebel league on lucrative deals.

Though they were previously warned about the ICC rulings and repercussions, the trio signed lucrative deals and opted to play in the ICL.

Atapattu did so after a controversial press conference in Australia after the first Test and unjustifiably criticised local selectors before international media. His irresponsible statement on the Lankan selection committee, which he branded as a set of muppets led by a joker, was good ammunition for the Australian media which has been looking for controversial news.

The SLC should be commended for the courageous decision. One could be the most talented sportsman or sportswoman but if that person lacks discipline, then they are of no use. Discipline should always come first and should stand above one’s talent. One of the main objectives in sport is discipline.

Hence, the SLC has taken the right decision so that the action of the cricketers would not be a bad example for the young generation. Ranatunga is a ‘no nonsense’ man and has a history of standing strong against injustice. If he could maintain that and continue play a straight bat, then the Lankan World Cup winning captain could play a greater innings as an administrator.

Jones a sad run

Taking about discipline, the international sports would have had mixed feelings about the six-month jail sentence on former ace woman sprinter Marion Jones.

Even the world governing body for track & field - the IAAF, hopes the six-month prison sentence handed down to disgraced American Olympic sprinter Marion Jones will deter others from taking drugs.

Having witnessed many of Jones’ key feats in world athletics, including the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, I too felt sad to hear the fate of the woman sprinter. Nevertheless, discipline should come ahead of all other factors. Even the IAAF said that ‘there is a lot of sadness for Marion and her family.

But Jones was sentenced for lying about her steroid use and her knowledge of a fraud case. True that six months in prison is a lot for a sprint queen, but Jones has to pay for her sins. But as the IAAF said, Jones’ jail sentence would be a deterrent to others.

As the IAAF believed, Jones could help the IAAF and other organisations after serving the sentence to ensure that other people don’t follow the path that she certainly followed.

But facts are stubborn. As the United States Olympic Committee chief Jim Scherr said in a statement, the fact that an athlete with so much talent and promise, who so many people looked up to, made the decision to cheat is a terrible disappointment.

Hence, this unfortunate situation does, however, offer a lesson to young people about the importance of making good choices and honouring the value of clean competition.

It was Jones who dug her own grave by making some very poor choices and she does deserve serious consequences. But, it’s sad because Jones’ mother and her two children have to endure great pain.