SLBA to promote the game in provinces

YASARATNE GAMAGE

In order to popularize and motivate novices and to enlighten the readers on his plans to promote badminton The Daily News interviewed Sri Lanka Badminton Association (SLBA) President Roshan Goonawardena.

Here are the excerpts of the interview.

Q. When did you become the president of the SLBA and what is the structure and main responsibilities of the association?

A. I assumed duties on June 17, 2010 together with the other officers. Our aim is to take select players at rural level and bring them to district , provincial , national level and thereafter to the international standard so that they could bring merits to our country. We are here to explore players not only with their skill in the sport, with great discipline which is a must in any sport, but unfortunately there are a few with this combination. When it comes to administration, there are five institutions affiliated to SLBA and also at provincial level.

Provincial Level-(Southern, Western, Central, North Central, Wayamba), State Services, Defence Services, Janasathu Seva,Commercial services and Sri Lanka School Badminton. The president is elected by the voting power through the District, Provincial, and Affiliated Associations. The one who gets the majority of votes becomes the president of the SLBA.

Q. What trends have been there since your inception?

A. Well, during this periof we held three ranking tourneys, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) in Colombo, Central Province in Kandy and NCP in Anuradhapura. There the national rankings fluctuated during the games. We wanted to give the novices to compete with experienced players and feel the heat and motivate the participants to come out with their maximum. In addition we had several international tourneys in Syria, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Singapore, Commonwealth games and Asian games. I am proud to say that during this short period the SLBA could carry out three ranking tournaments and a Junior National Tournament at school level locally and to participate in many international championships.

Q. Are you saying that you have done better than the previous?

A. Absolutely, I am very much confident that within this five months period we have done tremendous work when compared to previous years. The players not only showed their excellent skills but also received many valuable prices such as desktops, laptops, household electric items which in turn encourage them to engage in the sport more and more. We have taken every effort to uplift badminton as a sport and to take it to the top. We wanted the youths to get fascinated in badminton.

Q. What programs has the SLBA implemented to discover novice shuttlers ?

A. The project badminton from the country to city (gamen ratata badminton) exists because of many reasons. First of all out of 9671 schools in Sri Lanka only 201 plays badminton that is 2%. I came up with the concept to widen the participation of remote students in the game. We have made arrangements to donate badminton equipment to 1000 schools and by the end of next year and to provide coaches for these schools. We are selecting 40 schools from each district for this project. We have also conducted more than five tournaments in the age category under 10 and above and under 19 doubles.

Q. What benefits has the SLBA gained during recent past?

A. Recently I have been to Japan with 27 players to participate in the Anna Badminton Tournament and there I met a lot of badminton presidents and inquired them on how they handle badminton in order to be knowledgeable.

I discussed with Nippon Badminton Association on tournament exchange and they gave us a positive responsive, so we are looking forward to receiving the opportunity in the future. Moreover a company called ‘Jaika’ promised us to give a Japanese coach for two years at their cost which is Rs 300000 a month.

Accordingly we have already signed the agreement and have forwarded it to Jaika, and most probably by next May the program will start. They are keen on helping us in giving the rural player more exposure.

Q. Recently you have been to Malaysia. What did you bring us?

A. There was a 15 day training camp for shuttlers. The majority were Sri Lankans when compared to the other countries participated. Those who participated in the training camp will receive 3000 US dollars for air ticketing and accommodation when they participate in international tournaments.

The Asian Development Training (ADT) agreed to give us badminton equipment for 500 schools, we are going to train 50-60 teachers, two from each district under a Malaysian coach starting from next January.

Then the distribution of rackets, nets and suttles. There will be a novices tournament as well.

Apart from that we had lost the main sponsorship from the Yonex, but we managed to get it back, the agreement was signed last month and we are getting nearly Rs seven million per year.

Q. What discrepancies are there between Sri Lanka and other countries regarding the sport?

A. In most of the countries there are different players for single and double events, but in our country both events are on one hand.

So where is the opportunity for another player to rise? This should be changed. We should give newcomers their way instead of this monopoly.

Q. Do you have a busy schedule for 2011?

A. Yes, we are going to hold 11 tournaments in Sri Lanka, one in every month except for April and seven international tournaments in various countries.

Q. How do you get on with the media?

A. Very well, except for a few who want to create chaos among the public. Criticism should be constructive.

We work in dedication, we don’t have time to probe into other’s business, those who don’t work have ample time to sling mud.

Q. There was controversial news on media about SLBA, specially regarding your administration and the tour to Singapore. Can you comment on that?

A. I strongly deny any allegations against the SLBA and I assure that we have done everything in line with the Sports Ministry’s circulars and regulations. On the other hand we intermediate most of the time so it is evident that I am not capable of deciding on my own. We have all the records and written evidence to prove that we are clear and I am 100 % confident that all financial matters are transparent. I am sure that these accusations will rise as the election reaches because there are so many who want this seat.

Q. Why do they want to expel you?

A. I think it has been the way this association ran in the past, once you come in they point at you no matter how. I came into power unanimously and I want to give everything I can to badminton in Sri Lanka , I don’t have to depend on SLBA.