Lorgat submits report for development of SL Cricket

Ranjan Anandappa

Former ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat who was specifically appointed by Sri Lanka Cricket to find the shortcoming in the development of the game in Sri Lanka presented his suggestions in a report compiled by him at a press briefing held at the Sri Lanka Cricket Headquarters, Maitland Crescent yesterday.

Former ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat addressing the media at the SLC Headquarters with regards to his key issues and recommendations to develop cricket in Sri Lanka. Also in the picture are Ajith Jayasekera (Chief Executive SLC), Nishantha Ranatunga (Secretary SLC) and Nushki Mohammed (Treasurer SLC)

His report contained nine key issues and 24 recommendations done in three phases for the development of the game, six of them pertaining to the governance and the administration and three on the game itself. He said that what is important in an exercise of this nature is that the report provides recommendations. It is now for the executive and the leadership as well as all the stakeholders to examine those recommendations and implement all those recommendations fully. “I have provided suggestions which I believe which needs to be endorsed and implemented it in it's full,” he said.

One major issue in the report was the strong perception of ministerial and government interference- the sports law providing for ministerial involvement which breaches the ICC regulations. Lorgat, ,however, after discussing the matter with the Sports minister said that the Minister of Sports Mahindananda Aluthgamage showed positive signs of resolving the matter.

“ I also want to talk about the important need of a proper change management program , a communication program so that all those who may not understand, who come to grips with the recommendations of the issues that I identify that to make them understand , dialogue is important these are issues which we need to implement so that the future of Sri Lanka Cricket is on a sound footing. This is not about today ,this is about tomorrow. The world is changing and what was applicable in years gone by is no longer applicable. I have for a long while has summerised the game into three facets. In that manner you cover the entire game. In one hand you got the players or the playing field, and no body can dispute the fact the standard of playing is far greater the years gone by. Today the fitness levels of the players and, the way they bat , bowl and field and some of the catches been taken is just at a standard above just a few years ago.

The second aspect is the commercial side. No body could argue that the game is blessed with economics which is far greater than a few years gone by. There are millions of dollars that the game now is I nvolved in. A few years back there wasn't that amount of funding or economics that was engaged in the game.” he said “The other aspect is I refer to the governors and administrators of the game. Sadly in my view that is one area that we lack . We have not kept pace , it not need to be only Sri Lanka Cricket. In most sports it has fallen behind in my view relatively to the playing side and the economics of the game.

The key issues were based on Poor reputation and image, an outdated SLC constitution and governance, weak financial position, lack of professional administration, a non- existent organisational culture and poor media relations and no media protocols.

Where the cricketing aspects were concerned it was highlighted that a need of a domestic cricket structure that is not optimal nor sustainable and thus not developing excellence, National Selection Committee and inadequate high performance facilities and scope for more input from renowned and experienced past players.

Lorgat said that “ it has been an interesting exercise to say the least , but I think it has been a very important one and I personally want to give credit where credit is due. I don't believe whether it has been easy for the Sri Lankan executive to make the decision to get somebody from outside to come and review the set and open up the books where says the structure the issues that challenge them which is something laudable. For a long while I have been suggesting that members of International cricket and in particular the full members should strengthen themselves. It doesn't have the game of cricket for the membership to be weak. The game can only be strong if all of our members are strong.