Lanka deserves to host 2018 C’wealth Games

This is the opportunity for the Commonwealth to show that it stands for diversity and giving emerging nations a chance at hosting a premier event. All Sri Lankans will therefore await with bated breath come Friday November 11.

For on that that day will be decided whether Sri Lanka will be voted to host the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Hambantota or not.

From the moment bid time came around, all who formed the bid committee headed by the Governor of the Central Bank Nivard Cabraal, MP Namal Rajapaksa, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and National Olympic Committee chief Hemasiri Fernando to use rugby parlance, put their shoulders to the scrum and at every given opportunity and made a credible and compelling case for Sri Lanka to host the Games.

Strong case

The sport loving President Mahinda Rajapaksa made a strong case not only on behalf of Sri Lanka, but also with the interests of Asia in mind at the CHOGM sports breakfast hosted by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the theme ‘Sport as an unifier in the Commonwealth’, President Rajapaksa’s stirring speech came in for profuse praise by sports commentators and political leaders and the majority of the media in Australia.

President Rajapaksa who has the God given gift of delivering anything he commits inspired confidence through his speech that Sri Lanka’s leadership is fully committed to deliver on the Games if given the opportunity.

There is no doubt that the Commonwealth will send a strong signal that it stands for those who eradicate terrorism and liberate their countries from civil strife into sustainable peace, which is what the Rajapaksa regime has done in unmistakable terms, We understand that the 71 Commonwealth Games Association took serious note of this important aspect besides noting that Sri Lanka is renowned for delivering on its promises we saw with the World Cup cricket events.

The voting will be in St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean on Friday.

The hosting of the Commonwealth Games will have a line up of competent and influential persons on the Sri Lanka side which will ensure that the administration of the Games and all associate events will be in safe hands. Driving this is also in the son of President Rajapaksa, Namal who is now spreading the gospel of rugby with his brother Yoshitha.

Australia has hosted the Commonwealth Games many times before and those with voting rights will do well to take that into consideration and give a new emerging country like Sri Lanka the opportunity of hosting the Games.

Sri Lanka has the men and material to deliver and now it is in the hands of those with voting power to recognise that diresity and broadening opportunities is a key aspect of what the Commonwealth stands Friday November 11 is Remembrance Day and it is hoped that it will be another day of remembrance for the country by winning the all important vote.

The 71 strong voters will be watched.

Sad day for cricket

It was a sad day for the time honoured game of cricket and cricket in Pakistan when three of their cricketers were handed down jail sentences by a British Judge Jeremy Cooke for ‘spot fixing’ in a Test match against England in England last year.

Match fixing has been going on for some time and the authorities have been working to stall this ugly side of the game but with not much luck and success.

But the sentence slapped on Salman Butt the former Pakistan captain, Mohammed Asif and Mohammed Aamer, should serve as a deterrent to the shady characters who are out to earn a quick buck, by selling their souls and the game that made them what they are.

Those saying that the sentence was too harsh, are probably the ones who are indulging in this sordid game. Match fixers are traitors and they must be treated like lepers and criminals and given the sentence they deserve.

The virtues that those taking to the game are taught are that cricket is the great leveller. It teaches one to be humble in victory and determined in defeat. Then if those indulging in match fixing shun these virtues and take to criminalizing the game then they must suffer and suffer the damnation of hell.

Previously former captains, Mohamed Azharuddin, Salim Malik and Hansie Cronje of India, Pakistan and South Africa were found guilty of playing this dirty game and suffering the ignominy and being shunned by society.

Now Butt, Asif and Aamer of Pakistan join this hall of shame and disgrace and although they will be released after some time, the stigma will remain and will serve as a reminder that would always be a nightmare to the trio.

Demon bowler

While it will be a river of no return for Butt and Asif, there is still a future for young Aamer, considered by many former greats who saw him bowl as a demon bowler with a glittering future before him. He was lucky to get away with a six-month sentence.

He will be hoping and praying that his sentence would be reduced to half with good behaviour. And when that happens, it is hoped that those who have the future of this young left arm paceman at heart will take him in hand and make him end up as one of the best left arm bowlers that the game of cricket has seen.

One man who is a great admirer of Aamer and who was always sympathetic to his plight was former Pakistan captain and the one who led the Country to win the World Cup was Imran Khan now turned politician.

Here in Sri Lanka some time back a big hue and cry was made about match fixing and some names freely bandied about. But it turned out to be a damp squib, with those levelling the allegations, probably suffering cold feet and chickening out.

Those levelling the allegations were led by a frustrated former big gun who is now in the wilderness in an attempt to shed the frustration and sling mud which is his trait. But finally they had to face the shame and leave with their tails firmly tucked between their legs.

But what was inexplicable was that those making the wild allegations were not dealt with by the authorities, but allowed to roam free. Probably there was more to it than meets the eye and no further action was pursued.

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