Of late, Sri Lanka has become a difficult place for international Coaches to do their jobs with authority. Only after 2011 World Cup, Sri Lanka have hired half a dozen Coaches. Marvan Attapatu couldn’t fight with internal politics, Trevor Bayliss ditched Sri Lanka and grabbed England, Paul fabrace followed him with fazed mind, Graham Ford couldn’t cope with Multitasking Asanka Gurusinha. All in all, The internal politics of SLC played a big part in the exits, departure of these coaches over the year.
Not surprisingly, SLC Once again in a hunt for a new Coach! After the mysterious departure of Graham Ford following team’s Champions trophy debacle in June, Nic Pothas, who was an fielding Coach when Sri Lanka team became notorious of dropping Lolypops, has been appointed the ‘Interim’ Coach, the most frequently used word at SLC!
Though, for a change, now their eyes on Chandika Hathurusingha : One of the best Coach in World Cricket. Thanks to the fortunes of SLC, Hathurusingha also ditched Bangladesh, as Some players of the neighbors team have become Stars! This, both the parties : The SLC and Hathurusingha, are eying on each and the announcement of the association is only a matter of time.
Though, the road is not as straight as one can imagine! Reason, Hathurusingha and SLC both had a previous relationship : Though a failed relation!
Back to 2010, Chandika Hathurasingha was all set to become Head Coach of Sri Lanka Team, after serving as a Shadow Coach. Then Captain Kumar Sangakkara was a big fan of Hathurusingha Coaching Methods, and recommended him with glowing tributes. Though, SLC had some other plans. A Ultra-Minor Controversy with Hathurusingha and he had been thrown to the dustbin, by then SLC President D. S. De Silva. Humiliated and discarded Hathurusingha left Sri Lanka with a young family and migrated to Australia. The rest of the story is known to every Cricket Fan, that how he became one of the world’s best Coach, by transforming Bangladesh to a top team, especially at home.
The D. S. De Silva era has been done and dusted. Now, a politician called Thilanga Sumathipala rules the SLC! though the eternal ‘Qualities’ of the board remains intact. In simple words, as always, there are too many crooks to spoil the party at SLC.
“When it comes to coaching, the man in charge has to be given freedom. I am not too sure whether the board will give him that freedom. They can bring the best coach in the world, but no point if he were not given the freedom” World’s all time greatest bowler Muttiah Muralitharan could say only those words on the possible homecoming of Hathurusingha.
These are not only the words. This is the definition of SLC under Sumathipala regime!
Sumathipala is the President of SLC, Sri he has the right to call all the shots. Though, there are few more ‘Allrounders’ at SLC, who daydreams to run the board ( or ruin the board). K. Mathivanan is a Vice president of SLC, and also the incharge of domestic cricket, though there is no domestic cricket in Sri Lanka as all, and all the junior players have migrated to Australia to play league cricket. Though, Mathivanan likes to call all the shots at SLC, as he did in Kalutara Panadura fiasco by completely manipulated all the things.
Then, there is a Treasurer called Shammi Silva. His qualifications as a treasurer needs to be questioned as early as possible, though he has all the qualities to become a Selector, as he is notorious to interfering in the selection process of all the Sri Lanka squads. He is also the president of CCC : Colombo Cricket Club, and there is a popular belief in Sri Lanka cricket that if you want to represent national team, join the CCC.
There are some administrators for whom SLC is a place to enjoy the perks. Though, there are few dedicated employees and administrators as well, but they feels hapless in this kind of environment, where all other comes for a Celebrity Status!
After the disastrous few years with clueless Sanath Jayasuriya regime and a Chief selector, Sri Lanka Cricket has now blessed with a sensible Selection committee, who could bring Sri Lanka back to its glory days! The test squad against India, proves that they are bold, brave and unbiased.
Though, being the President of SLC, Sumathipala himself is not satisfied with the squad. Any Cricket Fan of Sri Lanka can judge that on the basis of the current form, Kusal Mendis and Kaushal Silva doesn’t deserve to be in the team. However, Sumathipala openly said that these two should have been in the squad!
The only this episode proves how SLC functions! The board President is not happy with the squad, his committee selected!
In this kind of environment, it seems impossible that Hathurusingha Will get a free hand. Especially, when, there are very few people’s at SLC, who likes him!
